Florida's Gulf Coast Braces for Hurricane Milton

Get ready, Florida! A big storm is coming your way. Hurricane Milton has been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane and it’s not wasting any time. By Monday morning, it went from a Category 3 to a Category 4 in just two hours. The National Hurricane Center says the winds are already at 155 mph and might reach 157 mph or more by tomorrow. That means Milton could become a Category 5 hurricane. This isn't just about wind, though. Storm surges are expected to hit the Gulf Coast. These can be really dangerous because they cause flooding in coastal areas. It’s like having a giant wave crash into your neighborhood. The storm is predicted to hit Florida on Wednesday evening. That’s not much time for people to get ready and maybe even leave their homes. Widespread evacuations are likely, which means lots of folks will have to pack up and go somewhere safer. It’s not just the wind and water you need to worry about either. Tropical tornadoes could also happen in some areas. Up to 15 million people might experience flooding, and another 11 million are at risk for those tornadoes. That’s a lot of people who need to be careful! This hurricane season has been tough already with Hurricane Helene hitting the southeastern United States. Florida is still trying to recover from that, so this new storm isn't helping. It’s important to stay safe and follow any evacuation orders if you live in an area that might be affected. Remember, hurricanes are serious business. They can cause a lot of damage and disrupt lives. So, let's hope everyone stays safe and takes the necessary precautions.