Hurricane Milton Intensifies en Route to Florida's Gulf Coast

Hurricane Milton is expected to impact Florida's Gulf Coast, prompting over a million evacuations. As the storm approaches with potential catastrophic damage, Florida's governor has activated the National Guard. The hurricane is predicted to cause significant storm surges and power outages, continuing as a hurricane across the Florida peninsula.

Hurricane Milton is intensifying and is anticipated to strike Florida's Gulf Coast, where more than a million residents have been ordered to evacuate ahead of its arrival. Forecasts predict Milton could become one of the most destructive storms to impact west-central Florida, with severe storm surges and rainfall threatening substantial flooding in the region.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has mobilized 8,000 National Guard members and strategically positioned emergency supplies in preparation for the hurricane, as residents are urged to act swiftly on evacuation orders. The storm's trajectory suggests it could make its mark on the Tampa Bay area, marking the first direct hit since 1921.

As the storm strengthens, local authorities are grappling with evacuation efforts, with thousands of people evacuating already-congested roadways and struggling with fuel shortages. The federal government is also taking action; President Joe Biden has postponed international travel to oversee disaster preparations and ensure readiness for relief operations following the hurricane's landfall.

(With inputs from agencies.)