Hurricane Milton strengthens into Category 3 hurricane as Florida orders compulsory evacuations from 10am ahead of nine-foot storm surges

Fast-approaching Hurricane Milton has been upgraded to a Category 3 storm before it slams into Florida Wednesday morning, a one-two punch for residents still recovering from Helene.

The storm was upgraded Monday morning, meaning it is now expected to cause “devastating damage” as it heads toward Orlando and Tampa Bay — an area still reeling from Hurricane Helene last month.

Helene brought record storm surges to the area, killing 230 people and destroying several small towns in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. And meteorologists have warned Milton could be even worse.

The government’s emergency response agency, FEMA, has expressed outrage over its slow response to Helene, with those standing in Milton’s way now warned not to expect immediate federal assistance if they choose to ignore evacuation orders.

Kevin Guthrie, head of Florida’s Department of Emergency Management, warned that Milton could be “life-threatening” and urged residents under evacuation orders to follow them.

“We are preparing for the largest evacuation we have seen since Hurricane Irma of 2017,” he said. About seven million people were told to evacuate the Sunshine State when Irma hit.

Tropical Storm Milton has been upgraded to a Category 3 hurricane before it hits Florida

Residents of major Florida cities are preparing to bunker down or evacuate as Hurricane Milton rages this week, bringing ‘life-threatening’ winds of 115 mph

Meanwhile, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a macabre warning to residents who refuse to comply with evacuation orders.

“You should probably write your name on your arm in permanent marker so people know who you are when they approach you afterwards,” she said.

Pasco County residents and those living in mobile homes in low-lying and flood-prone areas are under a mandatory evacuation order beginning at 10 a.m. Monday.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the county is preparing for storm surge heights of 10 to 12 feet, with rainfall up to 18 inches.

Widespread traffic disruptions and power outages are expected throughout Florida.

While forecast models vary widely, the most likely path suggests Milton could make landfall in the United States on Wednesday Tampa Bay area and remains a hurricane as it moves through central Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean.

Meanwhile, the Mexican government has issued a hurricane warning for the Yucatan Peninsula, from Celestun to Rio Lagartos.

When Hurricane Irma struck in 2017, the exodus of seven million people blocked highways and led to hours-long lines at gas stations.

Building on lessons learned during Irma and other previous storms, Florida is organizing emergency fueling for gas vehicles and charging stations for electric vehicles along evacuation routes, Guthrie said.

Hurricane Milton will hit Florida on Wednesday morning, meteorologists warn

Lenard Cox prepares sandbags to be distributed to Pinellas County residents ahead of Tropical Storm Milton’s expected arrival in Seminole, Florida, on Sunday

Rene Guerra carries sandbags to be distributed to Pinellas County residents ahead of Tropical Storm Milton’s expected arrival in Seminole, Florida on Sunday

“We’re looking at every potential, potential location that could potentially house someone, as we call it in emergency management, as a refuge of last resort,” Guthrie added.

The storm was centered about 195 miles (314 kilometers) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) west-southwest of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (161 km per hour) Monday morning.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday that while it remains to be seen where Milton will strike, it is clear the state will be hit hard.

“I don’t think there’s a scenario where we don’t have major consequences right now,” he said.

“You have time to prepare – all day today, all day Monday, probably all day Tuesday to make sure your hurricane preparedness plan is in place,” DeSantis said.

“If you’re on the west coast of Florida, the barrier islands, just assume you’ll be asked to leave.”

With Milton reaching hurricane status, this is the first time the Atlantic Ocean has had three simultaneous hurricanes after September, according to hurricane scientist Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University.

There have been four simultaneous hurricanes in August and September.

The St. Petersburg-Tampa Bay area is still cleaning up major damage from Helene and the powerful storm surge.

Twelve people died when Helene flooded the coast, with the greatest damage along the narrow, 20-mile (32-kilometer) string of barrier islands stretching from St. Petersburg to Clearwater.

DeSantis expanded his state of emergency to 51 counties on Sunday, saying Floridians should prepare for more power outages and disruptions and make sure they have a week’s worth of food and water and are ready to hit the road.

People who live in homes built after Florida tightened codes in 2004, that don’t rely on constant electricity and that aren’t in evacuation zones should probably avoid the roads, Guthrie said.

All classes and school activities in St. Petersburg’s Pinellas County were preemptively closed Monday through Wednesday as Milton approached.