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20 Photos Capture Devastation in Florida as the State Prepares for Catastrophic Impact from Hurricane Milton.ngocchau

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Florida officials are preparing several evacuation sites across the sunshine state as Hurricane Milton has officially been upgraded to a deadly Category Five storm

Florida officials are preparing several evacuation sites across the sunshine state as Hurricane Milton has officially been upgraded to a deadly category five storm. The storm, which is currently churning its way and gaining strength across the Gulf Coast, comes almost a week after the state experienced the devastation of Hurricane Helene which left thousands of residents without power.

On Monday, the National Hurricane Center sent out an advisory stating that Milton was officially a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. Officials state that Milton is predicted to come ashore on Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area and move across central Florida.

In addition to Florida, hurricane warnings have been issued for parts of Mexico’s Yucatan state, and much of Florida’s west coast. Officials have stated that they are also watching Florida’s Lake Okeechobee, as the body of water often floods during intense storms. Also on Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that it was imperative that the mess left over by Helene was cleared before Milton’s arrival.

“We don’t have time for bureaucracy and red tape,” DeSantis said. “We have to get the job done.” Before adding that any leftover debris could be a dangerous flying projectile. “You have time to prepare – all day today, all day Monday, probably all day Tuesday to be sure your hurricane preparedness plan is in place,” DeSantis advised. “If you’re on that west coast of Florida, barrier islands, just assume you’ll be asked to leave.”

Florida officials are proactively preparing, positioning emergency fuel and electric vehicle charging stations along evacuation routes. “We are looking at every potential, possible location that can potentially house someone, as what we refer to in emergency management, as a refuge of last resort,” Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, stated.

On Sunday, DeSantis reportedly extended his state of emergency declaration to 51 counties, urging Floridians to brace for more power outages and disruption. He emphasized the need for a week’s supply of food and water and readiness to evacuate. “We are preparing … for the largest evacuation that we have seen, most likely since 2017, Hurricane Irma,” Guthrie revealed.

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    Thousands of residents in the Tampa Bay area are fleeing after Hurricane Milton was upgraded to a Category 5 storm.

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    The preparations began not even a week after Hurricane Helene ripped through Florida and several other states

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    Governor Ron DeSantis has expanded his State of Emergencies to 51 counties urging those who can to flee

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    An American flag flies upside down, the international sign for distress, at a home ahead of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, likened the hurricane to that of 2017’s Hurricane Irma.

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    The state of Florida has already begun stockpiling resources

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    Image:

    Anadolu via Getty Images)

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    The National Hurrican Center officially upgraded Milton to a Category 4 storm on Monday with the expectation of it becoming a Category 5 later in the day

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    Image:

    NOAA/AFP via Getty Images)

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    A couple from Orlando walks along a street covered in sand as a result of Hurricane Helene in Clearwater, Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton’s expected arrival

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    Governor DeSantis has told those staying to stock up on water and emergency food to last over a week

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    Residents once again board up homes and businesses as they prepare for the worst.

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    DeSantis has stated that it was imperative that damage from Helene be cleared as it could become dangerous projectiles

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    Customers check mostly empty bread shelves at a shopping warehouse in Kissimmee, Florida on October 6, 2024

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    Pinellas County Sheriff’s Deputies escort dump trucks filled with debris left by Hurricane Helene

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    Shoppers line up outside a Walmart in order to get rations for the upcoming storm

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    Customers rush to buy bread products as the storm draws nearer

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    A group of lifeguard volunteers load sandbags as part of the precautionary measures for the arrival of Hurricane Milton

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    Image:

    Anadolu via Getty Images)

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    Florida officials are proactively preparing, positioning emergency fuel and electric vehicle charging stations along evacuation routes

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    Officials state that Milton is predicted to come ashore on Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area and move across central Florida.

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    A collapsed lifeguard tower as a result of Hurricane Helene is seen in Clearwater, Florida

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    Image:

    AFP via Getty Images)

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    Residents rush to fill sandbags to protect their homes from water damage