Mandatory credit: @heywoid305
Strong winds batter Key West as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s coast
Strong winds were seen battering Key West as Hurricane Milton approached Florida’s coast on Wednesday with authorities issuing a tropical storm and flood warning.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced in a social media post that Hurricane Milton remained at Category 4 as of Wednesday morning and reiterated locals to follow evacuation orders.
"If you are not in a mandatory evacuation zone and choose to shelter in place, be prepared for power outages and make sure you operate your generator safely after the storm," he added.
He also noted that over 50,000 linemen with all necessary equipment were stationed just outside of Milton's path, adding that it is the "largest staging of power restoration linemen in Florida’s history."
Ports, schools and public transportation services in Key West and other areas in South Florida were suspended until Thursday, October 10.
US President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency on Monday - and cancelled trips to Angola and Germany on Tuesday - as Florida braced for Milton to make landfall.
The National Hurricane Center warned the 'storm poses an extremely serious threat' with wind speeds reaching 155 mph (249 kph). Milton is expected to reach the Tampa Bay region on Wednesday, bringing heavy rains, storm surges and widespread flooding.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect across the state of Florida, where airports in Tampa, Orlando and St Petersburg have been closed.
It comes just ten days after Hurricane Helene made landfall in the state, killing at least 230 people as it moved towards North and South Carolina.
Gov. DeSantis called on authorities to remove all debris from the previous storm - saying there should be 'no bureaucracy, no more red tape, no more excuses' - and citing fears that fragments could become projectiles when Milton hits.
Strong winds batter Key West as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s coast
Strong winds were seen battering Key West as Hurricane Milton approached Florida’s coast on Wednesday with authorities issuing a tropical storm and flood warning.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced in a social media post that Hurricane Milton remained at Category 4 as of Wednesday morning and reiterated locals to follow evacuation orders.
"If you are not in a mandatory evacuation zone and choose to shelter in place, be prepared for power outages and make sure you operate your generator safely after the storm," he added.
He also noted that over 50,000 linemen with all necessary equipment were stationed just outside of Milton's path, adding that it is the "largest staging of power restoration linemen in Florida’s history."
Ports, schools and public transportation services in Key West and other areas in South Florida were suspended until Thursday, October 10.
US President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency on Monday - and cancelled trips to Angola and Germany on Tuesday - as Florida braced for Milton to make landfall.
The National Hurricane Center warned the 'storm poses an extremely serious threat' with wind speeds reaching 155 mph (249 kph). Milton is expected to reach the Tampa Bay region on Wednesday, bringing heavy rains, storm surges and widespread flooding.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect across the state of Florida, where airports in Tampa, Orlando and St Petersburg have been closed.
It comes just ten days after Hurricane Helene made landfall in the state, killing at least 230 people as it moved towards North and South Carolina.
Gov. DeSantis called on authorities to remove all debris from the previous storm - saying there should be 'no bureaucracy, no more red tape, no more excuses' - and citing fears that fragments could become projectiles when Milton hits.
Mandatory credit: @heywoid305
Strong winds batter Key West as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s coast
Strong winds were seen battering Key West as Hurricane Milton approached Florida’s coast on Wednesday with authorities issuing a tropical storm and flood warning.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced in a social media post that Hurricane Milton remained at Category 4 as of Wednesday morning and reiterated locals to follow evacuation orders.
"If you are not in a mandatory evacuation zone and choose to shelter in place, be prepared for power outages and make sure you operate your generator safely after the storm," he added.
He also noted that over 50,000 linemen with all necessary equipment were stationed just outside of Milton's path, adding that it is the "largest staging of power restoration linemen in Florida’s history."
Ports, schools and public transportation services in Key West and other areas in South Florida were suspended until Thursday, October 10.
US President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency on Monday - and cancelled trips to Angola and Germany on Tuesday - as Florida braced for Milton to make landfall.
The National Hurricane Center warned the 'storm poses an extremely serious threat' with wind speeds reaching 155 mph (249 kph). Milton is expected to reach the Tampa Bay region on Wednesday, bringing heavy rains, storm surges and widespread flooding.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect across the state of Florida, where airports in Tampa, Orlando and St Petersburg have been closed.
It comes just ten days after Hurricane Helene made landfall in the state, killing at least 230 people as it moved towards North and South Carolina.
Gov. DeSantis called on authorities to remove all debris from the previous storm - saying there should be 'no bureaucracy, no more red tape, no more excuses' - and citing fears that fragments could become projectiles when Milton hits.