Hurricane update: Milton at Category 4; tornado crosses I-75 in Florida
TAMPA, Fla. - Hurricane Milton continued on its path to the west coast of Florida on Wednesday, likely to remain a major hurricane when it finally makes landfall.
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 monster storm maintained strength overnight but fell to a Category 4 on Wednesday morning. Forecasters predict that it will likely remain a major hurricane when it makes landfall later on Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning.
"Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida," the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning.
Current info on Hurricane Milton. (FOX Weather)
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday were being briefed on preparations for Hurricane Milton, as well as the ongoing response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene across the Southeast.
Later on Wednesday, Biden was also scheduled to deliver remarks to the nation.
Here is the latest Hurricane Milton news:
Tornado in Florida crosses I-75
A live camera from the Florida Department of Transportation spotted a confirmed tornado on the ground Wednesday morning in South Florida as Hurricane Milton barreled toward the state.
When the tornado hit, Hurricane Milton was still hours away from landfall, but the storm's outer bands were already bringing rain, wind and the potential for tornadoes across the state.
This graphic shows active Tornado Watches and Severe Thunderstorm Watches. (FOX Weather)
The National Hurricane Center said in its 11 a.m. ET update that tornadic supercells from Milton were beginning to sweep across the Southern Florida peninsula.
RELATED: Video: Florida traffic camera captured tornado as Hurricane Milton impacts state
Wind, storm surge damage forecast in Georgia
Tropical storm warnings were issued Wednesday as far north as Savannah, roughly 200 miles from the projected path of the hurricane’s center.
Storm surge of 2 to 4 feet was forecast for Georgia communities including St. Simons Island, home to nearly 16,000 people, and Tybee Island, which has population of 3,100. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph could break off large tree limbs, topple shallow-rooted trees and cause scattered power outages, according to the National Weather Service.
Gas stations running out of fuel
Those leaving evacuation areas were facing gas shortages Tuesday and Wednesday.
In a Wednesday morning briefing, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said highway patrol cars with sirens were escorting gasoline tanker trucks to get them through traffic to refill the supply.
"And they are continuing with the fuel escorts as we speak," he said.
READ MORE: Hurricane Milton causing gas shortages in Florida as residents evacuate storm
Hurricane Milton’s current path
The forecast cone for Hurricane Milton. (FOX Weather)
Milton was centered about 300 miles southwest of Tampa early Wednesday with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, the hurricane center reported.
It was moving northeast at 14 mph early Wednesday and was expected to continue moving in that direction with an increase in its forward speed through Wednesday night, with landfall expected late Wednesday or early Thursday morning.
It was expected to turn toward the east-northeast and east on Thursday and Friday.
Hurricane Milton watches and warnings
Current Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings in effect for Hurricane Milton. (FOX Weather)
Current Storm Surge Watches and Warnings in effect for Hurricane Milton. (FOX Weather)
Milton storm surge forecast
This graphic shows the storm surge forecast from Hurricane Milton in Florida. (FOX Weather)
Hurricane Milton wind gust forecast
Peak Wind Gust Forecast for Hurricane Milton. (FOX Weather)
Time is running out to evacuate
Residents evacuate Florida as Hurricane Milton approaches
Many Floridians especially those along the Gulf Coast are fleeing the state as Hurricane Milton heads towards Florida. LiveNOW's Christina Evans checks in with Fox 13 Tampa's Lloyd Sowers to see how residents in the area are making preparations.
Millions of residents were ordered to evacuate ahead of the coming storm and officials warned that stragglers would face grim odds of surviving.
Thousands of fleeing cars clogged Florida's highways, and time for evacuations was running out Wednesday.
"The roads and the interstates, they are flowing," DeSantis said Wednesday morning in a press conference, but added that traffic conditions could deteriorate as the day goes on.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor noted that up to 15 feet of storm surge forecast for her city would be deep enough to swallow an entire house.
"So if you’re in it, basically that’s the coffin that you’re in," Castor said.
RELATED: Chilling warnings for Tampa Bay area residents ahead of Hurricane Milton