Tampa Bay residents flee as Hurricane Milton and possible 15-foot waves target Florida coast

The Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3.3 million people, faced the possibility of widespread destruction after avoiding direct hits from major hurricanes for more than a century. The National Hurricane Center predicted that Milton, a monstrous Category 5 hurricane during a close approach, will weaken but remain a major hurricane when it makes landfall Wednesday night.

Milton was centered about 360 miles (580 kilometers) southwest of Tampa on Wednesday morning, with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h), the National Hurricane Center reported.

Forecasters predicted the storm would retain hurricane strength as it crossed central Florida on Thursday on an eastward path toward the Atlantic Ocean. The hurricane’s precise track remained uncertain as forecasters moved its projected track slightly south of Tampa late Tuesday.

Thousands of fleeing cars clogged Florida’s highways ahead of the storm, but time for evacuations was running out Wednesday. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor noted that up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) of storm surge forecast for her city would be deep enough to swallow an entire house.

“So if you’re in it, that’s basically the coffin you’re in,” Castor said.

Milton is targeting communities still reeling two weeks after Hurricane Helene flooded streets and homes in West Florida along its devastating march that left at least 230 dead in the South.

In the bayside city of Punta Gorda, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Tampa, streets were still littered Tuesday with 5-foot (1.5-meter) piles of wet furniture, clothing, books, appliances and other trash dragged from damaged houses. .

Many homes remained vacant, but accountant and art collector Scott Joiner stayed on the second floor of the New Orleans-style home he built 17 years ago. Joiner said bull sharks were swimming in flooded streets and a neighbor had to be rescued in a canoe when Helene came through and flooded the first floor of his home.

“Water is a blessing to have,” Joiner said, “but it’s very deadly.”

Joiner said he planned to make another run and leave Milton, despite the risk.

Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders in 11 Florida counties with a total population of about 5.9 million people, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

Officials warned that anyone left behind must fend for themselves, as first responders are not expected to risk their lives trying to be rescued in the midst of the storm.

In Riverview, south of Tampa, several drivers waiting in a long line for fuel Tuesday said they had no plans to evacuate.

“I think we’re going to be, you know, struggling,” said Martin Oakes, from nearby Apollo Beach. “We have the shutters closed. The house is ready. So this is kind of the last piece of the puzzle.”

Others weren’t taking chances after Helene.

On Anna Marie Island along the southern edge of Tampa Bay, Evan Purcell packed his father’s ashes and was trying to catch his 9-year-old cat, McKenzie, as he prepared to leave Tuesday. Helene left him with thousands of dollars in damages when his house flooded. He feared Milton might take the rest.

“I’m still in shock from the first and the second round is coming,” Purcell said. “I just have a pit in my stomach about it.”

State and local governments rushed ahead of the storm to remove piles of debris left behind by Helene, fearing the approaching hurricane would turn loose wreckage into flying missiles. Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state deployed more than 300 dump trucks that removed 1,300 loads of debris.

In Mexico, authorities in the state of Yucatan reported minor damage from Milton as it passed just offshore. Power lines, light poles and trees were downed near the coast, and some small structures with thatched roofs were destroyed, Yucatan Governor Joaquín Díaz said. No deaths or injuries were reported.