Tampa on Edge: The Looming Threat of Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton threatens Florida's Tampa Bay area for the first time in over a century, with evacuation orders issued for vulnerable communities. The storm could bring up to 18 inches of rain, causing life-threatening flooding in metro areas. Climate change intensifies these risks with higher temperatures and rising sea levels.

Tampa Bay, home to around 3.1 million people, braces for Hurricane Milton as it looms over Florida's Gulf Coast for the first time in over a century. Residents prepare for potential flooding, and are urged to follow safety warnings and evacuation orders.

The National Hurricane Center predicts Milton will make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday, causing damage to homes and infrastructure. The storm threatens power and communication outages across central Florida, with up to 18 inches of rain expected in urban areas.

Authorities have mandated evacuations in low-lying areas and other vulnerable communities around Tampa Bay. With climate change intensifying storm impacts, officials emphasize the need for caution as near-record Gulf water temperatures fuel more severe hurricanes.

(With inputs from agencies.)