As the storm moves toward Florida's west coast, officials have issued mandatory evacuation orders for vulnerable areas, including parts of Tampa, which could face its worst storm in over a century.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Milton’s sustained winds reached 270 kilometers per hour, a slight decrease from earlier in the day but still powerful enough to cause catastrophic damage. The storm is expected to batter Florida after first making landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

In preparation for Milton’s impact, communities affected by Hurricane Helene, which struck the state late last month, are scrambling to remove debris that could turn into deadly projectiles in the new storm. Piles of debris from Helene’s flooding remain in the front yards of many homes, particularly in low-lying areas, further heightening concerns.

Mandatory evacuations have been issued for areas including parts of Tampa, which is home to more than three million people. The National Weather Service warned that if Milton stays on its current track, it could bring the worst storm to the region in more than 100 years. A major storm surge is forecast to hit Florida’s west coast by Tuesday night or early Wednesday, with water levels expected to rise as much as 4.5 meters above ground in some areas.

In central Florida, including the city of Orlando, residents are also preparing for the storm, with long lines of cars forming to collect sandbags. Despite the looming threat, the Disney World theme park announced it would remain open on Tuesday, though certain resort areas were closing as a precaution.

As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida, authorities continue to urge residents to follow evacuation orders and prepare for potentially life-threatening conditions. (ILKHA)