Tampa's mayor has issued an urgent evacuation alert as Hurricane Milton approaches - as she warns that staying in evacuation zones could be fatal.
The powerful storm, expected to hit Florida as early as tomorrow, may be more destructive than the recent Hurricane Helene.
Mayor Jane Castor stressed the unprecedented nature of the threat.
"I can say without any dramatisation whatsoever if you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you're gonna die," she told CNN.
Tampa's mayor has issued an urgent evacuation alert as Hurricane Milton approaches - as she warns that staying in evacuation zones could be fatalReutersThe mayor's stark message underscores the potentially catastrophic impact of Milton, with forecasts predicting a storm surge of 10-12 feet, nearly double that of Helene's devastating 6-foot surge.
Mayor Castor added: "This is something that I've never seen in my life and I can tell you anyone born and raised in the Tampa Bay area has never seen anything like this before."
The storm's potential impact is expected to surpass that of Hurricane Helene, which recently caused significant damage in Florida.
Castor warned: "If we have this predicted storm surge, this is not survivable."
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Residents have started to evacuate, with long queues of cars seen on roads and supermarket shelves stripped bare by panic buying.
Hurricane Milton has already made history as the second-strongest Gulf hurricane on record, with winds reaching a staggering 180mph.
Experts predict the storm will intensify further as it approaches Florida's coast.
Mayor Castor added: "I can tell you right now they might have done that in others, there's never been one like this."
Mayor Jane Castor stressed the unprecedented nature of the threat
Reuters
Catastrophic damage is heightened by the expected heavy downpours accompanying the powerful winds.
Castor reiterated the urgency of evacuation: "People need to get out."
The severity of Hurricane Milton's threat has prompted swift action from local authorities and residents alike.
The potential for a 10-12 foot storm surge, coupled with 180mph winds and heavy rainfall, presents a dire scenario for coastal areas.