Florida on high alert hours before Hurricane Milton lands

The message “We will rebuild” is displayed in front of the Pass-A-Grille Women’s Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, as debris littered the streets after Hurricane Helene two weeks earlier, while Hurricane Milton in turn threatened Florida.

Business doors and windows were barricaded as customers stocked up on groceries, stores remaining open for the time being ahead of Wednesday’s storm.

Under evacuation orders, thousands of people have flooded Florida’s roads ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, expected on Wednesday October 9. They are seeking shelter before the storm hits most of the state, with Category 3 or 4 forecast on the ground.

President Joe Biden reports on the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helene and preparations for Hurricane Milton. He postpones overseas trips to Germany and Angola after Milton significantly increased in intensity, reaching a catastrophic Category 5.

Tampa Zoo employees are also racing against time, as Hurricane Milton is expected to hit close to the city. The zoo has several hurricane-resistant buildings where it plans to transfer all its animals.

The message “Tampa Strong” was painted on boards protecting windows in Tampa, as Hurricane Milton rapidly approaches. The city of Tampa Bay lies directly in the path of this powerful hurricane, considered to be the hurricane of the century, which is preparing to hit the region.

Hours before Milton’s arrival, residents continue to clean up debris left by the previous storm, Helene, on Treasure Island, Florida.

Communities in most municipalities are racing against time to protect their property, as sandbags are filled and loaded into cars in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Numerous military vehicles are seen on the roads in Sanford, Florida, heading towards the areas where Hurricane Milton is expected to hit.

Many shelves are now empty in a supermarket, as customers rush to stock up on bottled water.

AquaFence floodwalls are installed around Tampa General Hospital to try to minimize the damage caused by Milton’s rising waters.