Tampa residents are bracing for Storm Milton as experts and Florida officials warn the potentially “catastrophic” hurricane could be “our Katrina.”
As of a Tuesday morning update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton is producing winds of 155 mph, down from 165 mph, and is located about 585 miles southwest of Tampa, which has a population of nearly 400,000. The major storm is expected to make landfall on Wednesday night, with flooding levels in Tampa forecast to be as high as 15 feet if peak surge occurs during high tide.
“Hurricane conditions are expected in the warning area on the west coast of Florida as early as Wednesday afternoon, with tropical storm conditions beginning early Wednesday,” the NHC said. Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located, has issued mandatory evacuation orders for those living in Zones A and B.
“This is an extremely life-threatening situation & residents should follow advice given by local officials & evacuate immediately if told to do so,” the hurricane center warned.
Read more at Newsweek.com
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