Every storm is unique, so what should you know about Milton? Here are four factors at play with Hurricane Milton as it takes aim at the west coast of Florida.
The Tampa Bay region is bracing for what could be a direct hit from Hurricane Milton, less than two weeks after storm surge from Helene flooded homes and left streets covered in feet of sand. “Basically, everybody needs to go. Nobody needs to try and stay here, nobody needs to try and ride this out,” Jeremi Roberts, spokesperson for Florida Regional Incident Management Team 3, said Sunday from the town of Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island. The barrier island is on the south side of Tampa Bay is among many struggling with major damage from Helene. Other areas that could take a second hit include the Pinellas County beaches of Pass-a-Grille, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks Beach and Clearwater Beach.