Hurricane Milton Threatens Florida

Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified from a Category 1 to a strong Category 5 storm, posing a significant danger to Florida's Gulf Coast, specifically the vulnerable Tampa Bay area. Following the recent devastation from Hurricane Helene, which made landfall just 100 miles north of Tampa, the region remains precarious with debris still present. Hillsborough County Fire Chief Jason Doherty emphasized the urgency of evacuation for residents in affected areas, highlighting the potential risk to both their lives and the lives of first responders. Residents were urged to heed evacuation orders, as rescue operations would be perilous under the storm's impacts.