New York, Oct 9
Florida is making final preparations ahead of Hurricane Milton, which is forecast to make landfall near Tampa Bay on the west central coast of the US state on Wednesday.
More than 5 million residents on Florida's western coast were urged to leave the densely populated coastal area. Milton re-intensified on Tuesday to Category 5, the highest rating, with sustained winds at about 270 km/h in the centre.
More than 20 counties in the state issued mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders, and officials uttered dire warnings to those under evacuation orders, reports news agency.
Officials said the "life-threatening storm" will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of Florida through Wednesday. The centre is likely to make landfall along the west coast of Florida on Wednesday night.
The US National Weather Service's National Hurricane Center urged Florida residents to finalise preparing their families and homes ahead of Hurricane Milton as conditions will gradually deteriorate into Wednesday.
"With Hurricane Milton almost here, TODAY is the LAST DAY to evacuate. When the storm hits, areas will be flooded and will be extremely dangerous to drive through," the agency warned on Tuesday.
"Now is the time to execute your plan and follow any evacuation orders from your local officials," wrote Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on X, adding that "Your home can be rebuilt, your possessions can be replaced, but we cannot replace a life lost to the storm."