While areas of the southeastern United States continue to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the next major storm, Hurricane Milton is barreling through the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to be one of the strongest storms seen in recent history. The hurricane is forecast to make landfall in Florida Wednesday night.
Milton was recorded as a category 4 storm as of Tuesday morning.
Tampa International Airport (KTPA), St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (KPIE), Albert Whitted Airport (KSPG), and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ) are all closed until at least October 11.
“Today is the last full day for Florida residents to get their families and homes ready and evacuate if told to do so by local officials,” wrote the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in an advisory on Tuesday.
Hurricane-force winds from the storm are projected to extend outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.
The National Weather Service has warned that this could be the worst storm to impact Tampa in over 100 years.