A Tropical Cyclone in Milton, Fla., a Central Emergency Management Director says Florida is preparing for the Largest Evacuation in Years

It’s likely within the top three fastest storms on record when it comes to rapid intensification, used to describe tropical cyclones with sustained wind speeds that increase by at least 30 knots (roughly 35 miles per hour) in a 24-hour period. Milton has seen an 80-knot increase in wind speed (more than 92 miles per hour) over 24 hours, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said this morning.

The storm is about 165 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and about 745 miles west-southwest of Tampa. The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is under a hurricane warning, while hurricane watches, storm surge watches and tropical storm watches and warnings are in effect for parts of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula.

There are still differing views about the exact location and timing of landfall, but most models agree that it will happen, according to the NHC.

They warn that areas of heavy rains will affect parts of Florida on Monday and Tuesday and that there is a risk of flash flooding, as well as moderate to major river flooding.

A storm surge and damaging winds are a growing threat for parts of Florida’s west coast. The forecasters say it may raise water levels as high as 12 feet in some areas and 8 to 12 feet in others.

If told to leave, residents in that area should follow advice given by local officials, the NHC said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already expanded an emergency declaration to cover 51 of the state’s 67 counties and is warning people across the peninsula to prepare.

“Do not get wedded to the cone,” he tweeted on Sunday. Even if you live outside of the forecast cone, you should prepare for potential impacts. We advise to follow the orders from your local officials.

The emergency management director said on Sunday that the state is preparing for the largest evacuate that they have seen in years, with nearly 6.8 million people likely to leave their homes.

He advised inland residents who did not live in an evacuation zone to stay in place, as it might be better for them to just stay in place.

Manatee County and Pasco County have ordered the evacuation of residents in certain low-lying areas, mobile homes and RVs, while Pinellas County ordered the evacuation of all residential healthcare facilities within certain zones.

If many are still recovering from Helene, then Floridians should think about their reserves of water, food, and pet food. Do they need to buy fresh batteries? Has their supply kits been restocked to last for up to seven days?

It notes that public school districts in many counties will be closed from Monday through at least Wednesday and that Florida Gulf Coast University — near Fort Myers — will close its campus Tuesday and Wednesday, after shifting to remote operations.

Many of the southeastern states that were hit by Helene are expected to be spared by the expected exit.

More than 220 people were killed by Helene, one of the deadliest hurricanes to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005. According to the Associated Press, roughly half of the victims in North Carolina were from historic flooding.

Human-caused climate change makes it more likely that hurricanes will strengthen rapidly and bring more wind and rain to the area.

The three hurricanes that have been recorded in the Atlantic Ocean since September are the first time ever that three have been recorded at once. Hurricanes Kirk and Leslie are also brewig.

“This is almost like three times the threshold that is used. “So this is definitely off the charts!” said a Climate scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The NHC says only Hurricane Felix and Hurricane Wilma have strengthened more rapidly than that.

The Tampa Bay Area is open for business, but it’s not always easy to get around. A warning from the Florida Air Force Base during a possible tornado warning

School districts and government facilities in the area announced they would be closed for several days. Counties have enforced mandatory evacuation zones, and state and local officials have profusely warned residents to follow those orders.

“If you have to evacuate hundreds of miles, you don’t have to,” Gov. Ron DeSantis has said. “Every county has places within them that you can go to. Maybe it’s a friend’s house, a hotel, or a shelter.

Air travel into and around Florida is not easy to get around. The airport said it was pausing flights on Tuesday. Travelers are advised to check their airlines’ flight travel dashboard and Federal Aviation Administration’s website because it is closely monitoring the path of the storm.