Time running out to evacuate as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida

The Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3.3 million people, faced the possibility of widespread destruction after more than a century without a direct hit from a Category 3 or stronger hurricane. The U.S. National Hurricane Center predicted that Milton, a monster Category 5 storm for much of its path toward the coast, would likely weaken but remain a Category 3 or stronger storm when it made landfall Wednesday afternoon.

The system was centered about 360 miles (580 kilometers) southeast of Tampa early Wednesday, with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters expected the system to maintain hurricane strength as it moved through central Florida on Thursday on an easterly path toward the Atlantic Ocean. The exact path remained uncertain, and experts on Tuesday shifted their estimate of its path slightly south of Tampa.

Thousands of fleeing cars jammed Florida highways ahead of the storm, but time to evacuate was running out Wednesday. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned that a 15-foot (4.5-meter) storm surge could swallow a house whole.

“So if you’re in there, that’s basically your coffin,” she said.

Milton is moving toward towns still scarred by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, which flooded streets and homes in western Florida on a destructive path that left at least 230 dead in the southern United States.

In the coastal town of Punta Gorda, about 100 miles (160 km) south of Tampa, streets were still flooded Tuesday with piles up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) high of soggy furniture, clothing, books, appliances and other trash that had been removed from damaged homes.

Many homes were empty, but accountant and art collector Scott Joiner was still on the second floor of the New Orleans-style home he built 17 years ago. Joiner said that when Helene hit and flooded the first floor of his home, bull sharks were swimming in the flooded streets and a neighbor had to be rescued by canoe.

“Having water is a blessing,” Joiner said, “but it is very deadly.”

Joiner said he planned to make another round and ride out Milton there, despite the risk.

Authorities have issued evacuation orders for 11 Florida counties with a total population of 5.9 million people, according to U.S. Census estimates.

Authorities have warned that anyone left behind must fend for themselves, as emergency workers are not expected to risk their lives trying to make rescues at the height of the storm.

In Riverview, south of Tampa, several drivers standing in a long line to fill up gas Tuesday said they had no plans to evacuate.

“I think we’ll just stay, you know, ride it out,” said Martin Oakes of nearby Apollo Beach. “We’ve got shutters up. The house is ready. So this is kind of the last piece of the puzzle.”

Others decided not to take any chances after Helene.

On Anna Marie Island, at the southern tip of Tampa Bay, Evan Purcell packed up his father’s ashes and tried to catch his 9-year-old cat, McKenzie, as he prepared to leave Tuesday. Helene had left him with thousands of dollars worth of damage when his home flooded. He feared Milton might take what was left.

“I’m still in shock from the first one and here comes round two,” Purcell said. “I have a bad feeling about this one.”

Local and state governments were trying to clear away piles of debris left by Helene before the new storm, fearing the new hurricane would turn loose debris into missiles. Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state had deployed about 300 dump trucks that had picked up 1,300 loads of debris.

In Mexico, authorities in the state of Yucatan reported minor damage as Milton passed off its coast. The wind knocked down power lines, streetlights and trees, and destroyed some small structures with thatched roofs, said Yucatan Gov. Joaquin Diaz. He reported no deaths or injuries.