In brief
Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 3 storm, is expected to land on Florida's coast near Sarasota, prompting urgent evacuation efforts.
Residents of Tampa and surrounding areas are making emergency preparations as Hurricane Milton approaches, expected to hit the Sarasota coast shortly. Already delivering heavy winds and tornado warnings, the storm has led to mass evacuations, with people hastily moving to shelters with essentials and pets. Tampa's mayor has issued a warning of a potentially historical storm surge of up to 15 feet, a stark rise in severity compared to previous hurricanes. Climate journalist Raymond Zhong attributes the rapid intensification of Milton and the recent Hurricane Helene to rising ocean temperatures, a consequence of climate change, which is exacerbating such natural disasters. As storm clouds gather, Florida stands prepared, albeit anxiously, for yet another climatic challenge.
