President Joe Biden issued a grave warning on Tuesday as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, suggesting it could be the most devastating storm the state has faced in over a century. He urged residents in the storm’s path to “evacuate now,” emphasizing that their safety is paramount and it is “a matter of life and death.”
Milton initially reached Category 5 strength on Monday but was downgraded to a dangerous Category 4 hurricane by Tuesday. It is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 kph) as it continues to move over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This sustained intensity poses significant risks to Florida’s coastal communities.
To expedite federal assistance, Biden authorized an emergency declaration for Florida on Monday, allowing resources to flow more quickly to the state as it grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and prepares for Milton’s landfall. The storm is anticipated to traverse a large portion of Florida before moving into the Atlantic on Thursday. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned residents of “extremely powerful” conditions that are expected to intensify as the storm progresses.
The NHC has predicted a potentially life-threatening storm surge of 10 feet or more, particularly along Florida’s west-central coast around Tampa Bay, where water levels could surge by as much as 15 feet. In addition to the storm surge, heavy rainfall is expected, with some areas facing accumulations of up to 16 inches, which could lead to widespread flash flooding from Tampa to Orlando.
The NHC has advised residents to finalize preparations for extended power outages by Tuesday night, as the storm is projected to cause significant damage. In light of the impending storm, Biden, who has postponed his scheduled trip to Germany and Angola to oversee the federal response, reiterated the urgent need for evacuation, cautioning that there may not be enough time to leave safely by Wednesday.
Despite his postponed travel, Biden remains committed to visiting Angola and has communicated with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss rescheduling his trip. The situation remains fluid, and officials are closely monitoring Hurricane Milton as it continues to evolve.
