Largest evacuation since 2017: Florida braces for hurricane Milton after Helene

Florida braced for its second major hurricane in days, as Hurricane Milton intensified, prompting the state's largest evacuation since 2017. Coming just after the devastating Hurricane Helene , which caused significant damage across the southeastern U.S., Milton is expected to hit the already hard-hit Tampa Bay area. Officials urged residents in vulnerable areas to leave, with over 500,000 people facing mandatory evacuation orders in Pinellas County, which includes St. Petersburg.

Milton strengthened from a tropical storm into a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday and is projected to make landfall on Wednesday. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned that the storm’s impacts could be even worse than Helene's, particularly due to lingering debris from the earlier hurricane. "What's going to happen to that debris? It's going to increase the damage dramatically," he said. Schools in Pinellas County have been closed through Wednesday, and six hospitals, along with nursing homes, have been evacuated as a precaution.

The storm, currently packing winds of 85 mph, is expected to become a Category 3 or 4 hurricane by the time it reaches the coast. Governor DeSantis expanded the state of emergency to 51 counties and urged residents to prepare for power outages and potential food and water shortages. "You have time to prepare," he said, encouraging residents along Florida's west coast to heed evacuation orders.

Hurricane Helene, which hit just days before, has already caused widespread destruction, particularly in the northern regions. The death toll from Helene has risen to at least 230 people, making it the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina. Federal assistance is in place for the ongoing recovery, and President Biden has approved over $137 million in aid. Meanwhile, emergency services continue to work around the clock to clear debris and prepare for Milton's arrival.