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Florida faces 'matter of life and death' as Hurricane Milton closes in Florida faces 'matter of life and death' as Hurricane Milton closes in
(about 4 hours later)
Florida residents are rushing to finish emergency preparations - or just leave - as Hurricane Milton races toward landfall on the heavily-populated Tampa Bay.Florida residents are rushing to finish emergency preparations - or just leave - as Hurricane Milton races toward landfall on the heavily-populated Tampa Bay.
Milton is currently a category five storm, packing ferocious winds of up to 165mph (270km/h). It is expected to hit with full force on Wednesday night, less than two weeks after the state was struck by the devastating Hurricane Helene.Milton is currently a category five storm, packing ferocious winds of up to 165mph (270km/h). It is expected to hit with full force on Wednesday night, less than two weeks after the state was struck by the devastating Hurricane Helene.
President Joe Biden warned people in Florida on Tuesday to leave their homes as a "matter of life and death" while the state undertakes its largest evacuation effort in years.President Joe Biden warned people in Florida on Tuesday to leave their homes as a "matter of life and death" while the state undertakes its largest evacuation effort in years.
"A category five, that is like a giant tornado coming at you," one resident of the Gulf Coast city of Bradenton told the BBC from the hotel that he has evacuated to in Kissimmee."A category five, that is like a giant tornado coming at you," one resident of the Gulf Coast city of Bradenton told the BBC from the hotel that he has evacuated to in Kissimmee.
When will the hurricane hit? Everything we know so farWhen will the hurricane hit? Everything we know so far
Full coverage of Hurricane MiltonFull coverage of Hurricane Milton
"I wouldn't want to be there," said Gerald Lemus. "This will be a life-changing storm no matter where it hits.""I wouldn't want to be there," said Gerald Lemus. "This will be a life-changing storm no matter where it hits."
Mr Lemus, who has lived in Bradenton his entire life, said he has never evacuated for any previous storm. But he decided he has to for the safety of his eight-year-old daughter.Mr Lemus, who has lived in Bradenton his entire life, said he has never evacuated for any previous storm. But he decided he has to for the safety of his eight-year-old daughter.
"I just looked at her and I couldn't traumatise her to something like this," he said on Tuesday night. "It's a gamble we weren't willing to make.""I just looked at her and I couldn't traumatise her to something like this," he said on Tuesday night. "It's a gamble we weren't willing to make."
ML Ferguson has been struggling to rebuild her home in Anna Maria, Florida, after it was severely damaged last month by Helene, a powerful category four hurricane when it hit.ML Ferguson has been struggling to rebuild her home in Anna Maria, Florida, after it was severely damaged last month by Helene, a powerful category four hurricane when it hit.
"This one is going to be way worse than Helene," she said on the phone while stalled in highway traffic out of the city."This one is going to be way worse than Helene," she said on the phone while stalled in highway traffic out of the city.
"My car is totalled, we all were laid off of our job, and [my] belongings were ruined. After this storm hits, I will officially become homeless.""My car is totalled, we all were laid off of our job, and [my] belongings were ruined. After this storm hits, I will officially become homeless."
Governor Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday that Florida had prepared dozens of shelters outside of evacuation zones to help house residents left stranded in the wake of the "monster" storm.Governor Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday that Florida had prepared dozens of shelters outside of evacuation zones to help house residents left stranded in the wake of the "monster" storm.
Long queues at petrol stations formed in south Florida, as some stations began running out of fuel.Long queues at petrol stations formed in south Florida, as some stations began running out of fuel.
Chynna Perkins told the BBC she is remaining in Tampa, where she lives in a newly constructed home outside the mandatory evacuation zones.Chynna Perkins told the BBC she is remaining in Tampa, where she lives in a newly constructed home outside the mandatory evacuation zones.
"I don't think people really understand how much planning has to go into a decision like this," she said, adding that she has two large Great Danes."I don't think people really understand how much planning has to go into a decision like this," she said, adding that she has two large Great Danes.
"There's so much traffic and barely any gas available right now. People are running out of gas on the highway.""There's so much traffic and barely any gas available right now. People are running out of gas on the highway."
DeSantis said that petrol was being trucked to stations, and electric vehicle charging stations also were deployed along roadways to ease the evacuation.DeSantis said that petrol was being trucked to stations, and electric vehicle charging stations also were deployed along roadways to ease the evacuation.
Tampa resident Steve Crist, spoke to the BBC while boarding up the windows of his dentist office. "Everyone’s gone. I’ve never seen it so quiet," he said.Tampa resident Steve Crist, spoke to the BBC while boarding up the windows of his dentist office. "Everyone’s gone. I’ve never seen it so quiet," he said.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, President Biden said the storm could be one of Florida's worst in a century.Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, President Biden said the storm could be one of Florida's worst in a century.
"Evacuate now, now, now," he told Florida residents."Evacuate now, now, now," he told Florida residents.
The White House cancelled Biden's planned visit to Germany and Angola in order to oversee preparations for Milton and ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene.The White House cancelled Biden's planned visit to Germany and Angola in order to oversee preparations for Milton and ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene.
Watch: Meteorologist becomes emotional giving Hurricane Milton updateWatch: Meteorologist becomes emotional giving Hurricane Milton update
Less than two weeks ago Hurricane Helene - the deadliest mainland storm since Katrina in 2005 - pummelled the US south-east, killing at least 225. Hundreds more are missing.Less than two weeks ago Hurricane Helene - the deadliest mainland storm since Katrina in 2005 - pummelled the US south-east, killing at least 225. Hundreds more are missing.
At least 14 of those deaths were in Florida, where 51 of 67 counties are now under emergency warnings as Milton approaches.At least 14 of those deaths were in Florida, where 51 of 67 counties are now under emergency warnings as Milton approaches.
The National Hurricane Center has warned people to brace for strong winds that could potentially send debris still on the streets from Helene to destructively fly through the air.The National Hurricane Center has warned people to brace for strong winds that could potentially send debris still on the streets from Helene to destructively fly through the air.
Rainfall totals could reach highs of 15in (38cm), and coastal areas could see storm surges of 10-15ft (3-4.5m).Rainfall totals could reach highs of 15in (38cm), and coastal areas could see storm surges of 10-15ft (3-4.5m).
Hurricanes are categorize based on wind speed. Category three and higher are considered major because of their potential for damage and loss of life, according to the National Weather Service. Hurricanes are categorised based on wind speed. Category three and higher are considered major because of their potential for damage and loss of life, according to the National Weather Service.
'I'm not staying for this one' - Florida residents evacuate'I'm not staying for this one' - Florida residents evacuate
Counties began issuing evacuation orders on Monday, with tolls suspended on roads in western and central Florida.Counties began issuing evacuation orders on Monday, with tolls suspended on roads in western and central Florida.
School closures in several counties began on Tuesday. Airports in Tampa and Orlando announced they would be suspending flight operations until the storm passes.School closures in several counties began on Tuesday. Airports in Tampa and Orlando announced they would be suspending flight operations until the storm passes.
Parts of Pinellas County, where at least a dozen people were killed by Helene, were placed under evacuation orders on Monday.Parts of Pinellas County, where at least a dozen people were killed by Helene, were placed under evacuation orders on Monday.
Huge tailbacks as people try to flee Hurricane MiltonHuge tailbacks as people try to flee Hurricane Milton
Are you in Florida? Please share your experiencesAre you in Florida? Please share your experiences
How is climate change affecting hurricanes like Milton?How is climate change affecting hurricanes like Milton?
What made Hurricane Helene so damaging?What made Hurricane Helene so damaging?
Hurricanes: A look inside the deadly stormsHurricanes: A look inside the deadly storms
What is a storm surge and how serious is the threat from Milton?What is a storm surge and how serious is the threat from Milton?
Where and when Milton is expected to hitWhere and when Milton is expected to hit
The approach of the new hurricane comes as the US government warns that clean-up efforts could take years after Hurricane Helene. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) expects Milton to make landfall as an "extremely dangerous hurricane" in the US state of Florida on Wednesday night, local time.
It could strike near the city of Tampa, whose wider metropolitan area has a population of more than three million people.
Forecasters are warning of torrential rain, flash flooding, high winds and possible storm surges - which occur when water moves inland from the coast.
It comes as the US government warns that clean-up efforts could take years after Hurricane Helene.
Over 12,000 cubic yards of debris have been removed in Helene-affected areas of Florida in less than two days, officials said.Over 12,000 cubic yards of debris have been removed in Helene-affected areas of Florida in less than two days, officials said.
Hundreds of roads remain closed, hampering efforts to send aid to hard-hit communities.Hundreds of roads remain closed, hampering efforts to send aid to hard-hit communities.
As well as in Florida, deaths were recorded in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia - and the worst-hit state, North Carolina.As well as in Florida, deaths were recorded in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia - and the worst-hit state, North Carolina.
Biden has ordered another 500 soldiers to be deployed to North Carolina. The troops - who now number 1,500 in all - will work with thousands of government relief workers and National Guard. Biden has so far approved nearly $140m (£107m) in federal assistance.
He has so far approved nearly $140m (£107m) in federal assistance.
Thousands of cots are set up in Tropicana Field for hurricane evacueesThousands of cots are set up in Tropicana Field for hurricane evacuees
Get in touchGet in touch
Are you in Florida? Please share your experiences.Are you in Florida? Please share your experiences.
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