{"id":112405,"date":"2024-10-10T05:14:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T22:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=112405"},"modified":"2024-10-10T05:14:47","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T22:14:47","slug":"category-3-hurricane-milton-live-updates-ahead-of-landfall-in-florida-wednesday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=112405","title":{"rendered":"Category 3 Hurricane Milton Live Updates Ahead Of Landfall In Florida Wednesday"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"topline-heading\">Topline<\/h2>\n<p>Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida\u2019s Gulf Coast, where millions have been told to evacuate as forecasters warn it could be be \u201cone of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/why-officials-are-warning-to-take-milton-seriously-even-as-designation-falls-to-category-3\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/why-officials-are-warning-to-take-milton-seriously-even-as-designation-falls-to-category-3\/\" data-ga-track=\"InternalLink:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/why-officials-are-warning-to-take-milton-seriously-even-as-designation-falls-to-category-3\/\" aria-label=\"most destructive\" rel=\"noopener\">most destructive<\/a> hurricanes on record\u201d for the west-central part of the state.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"embed-base image-embed embed-21\" role=\"presentation\"><figcaption><fbs-accordion class=\"expandable\" current=\"-1\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"color-body light-text\">Dan Jones points toward a destroyed roof in his backyard after a tornado hit in Fort Myers, Florida <span class=\"plus\" data-ga-track=\"caption expand\">&#8230; [+]<\/span><span class=\"expanded-caption\"> on Oct. 9, 2024, as Hurricane Milton approaches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/fbs-accordion><small>AFP via Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Key Facts<\/h2>\n<div class=\"key-facts\">\n<div class=\"key-facts-element\">\n<p><em>6 p.m. EDT, Oct. 9<\/em> \u2014 Hurricane-force wind gusts of 77 mph have been recorded at a WeatherFlow station at Egmont Channel at the mouth of Tampa Bay, about 15 minutes from St. Petersburg, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/text\/refresh\/MIATCUAT4+shtml\/092157.shtml?\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/text\/refresh\/MIATCUAT4+shtml\/092157.shtml?\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/text\/refresh\/MIATCUAT4+shtml\/092157.shtml?\" aria-label=\"National Hurricane Center.\">National Hurricane Center. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"key-facts-element\">\n<p>Milton is located about 50 miles west-southwest of Sarasota and moving northeast at 15 mph with sustained winds of 120 mph, which classifies it as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/why-officials-are-warning-to-take-milton-seriously-even-as-designation-falls-to-category-3\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/why-officials-are-warning-to-take-milton-seriously-even-as-designation-falls-to-category-3\/\" data-ga-track=\"InternalLink:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/why-officials-are-warning-to-take-milton-seriously-even-as-designation-falls-to-category-3\/\" aria-label=\"Category 3 hurricane\" rel=\"noopener\">Category 3 hurricane<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"key-facts-element\">\n<p><em>5 p.m. EDT, Oct. 9<\/em> \u2014 Milton is expected to \u201cmake landfall near or just south of the Tampa Bay region\u201d Wednesday before moving across the Florida peninsula overnight and pushing through the east coast Thursday, with \u201clife-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts\u201d expected in areas under hurricane warnings starting Wednesday night.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"key-facts-element\">\n<p><em>4 p.m. EDT, Oct. 9<\/em> \u2014 The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/text\/refresh\/MIATCPAT4+shtml\/091755.shtml?\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/text\/refresh\/MIATCPAT4+shtml\/091755.shtml?\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/text\/refresh\/MIATCPAT4+shtml\/091755.shtml?\" aria-label=\"NHC\">NHC<\/a> warned tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rain had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/text\/refresh\/MIATCUAT4+shtml\/091859.shtml?\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/text\/refresh\/MIATCUAT4+shtml\/091859.shtml?\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/text\/refresh\/MIATCUAT4+shtml\/091859.shtml?\" aria-label=\"reached\">reached<\/a> the western coast of Florida, and urged anyone in a tornado watch area to be ready to quickly shelter (see below).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"key-facts-element\">\n<p><em>2 p.m. EDT, Oct. 9<\/em> \u2014 A storm surge warning has been issued for most of the Florida west coast and from the Sebastian Inlet in Florida to Altamaha Sound, Georgia and a storm surge watch issued for north of Altamaha Sound into South Carolina has been discontinued.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"key-facts-element\">\n<p><em>1 p.m. EDT, Oct. 9<\/em> \u2014 The National Hurricane Center said tropical-storm-force winds are &#8220;just offshore&#8221; and encouraged residents to &#8220;stay inside and away from windows.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"key-facts-element\">\n<p><em>11:30 a.m. EDT, Oct. 9<\/em> \u2014 Tampa&#8217;s Sunshine Skyway Bridge closed to all traffic as wind speeds pick up.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"key-facts-element\">\n<p><em>11:12 a.m. EDT, Oct. 9<\/em> \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/hurricane-milton-hits-red-on-waffle-house-index-the-natural-disaster-scale-explained\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/hurricane-milton-hits-red-on-waffle-house-index-the-natural-disaster-scale-explained\/\" data-ga-track=\"InternalLink:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/hurricane-milton-hits-red-on-waffle-house-index-the-natural-disaster-scale-explained\/\" aria-label=\"Waffle House\" rel=\"noopener\">Waffle House<\/a> announced dozens of its locations in Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando and beyond would be closed starting Wednesday afternoon, marking Milton as a \u201cred\u201d on the federally recognized \u201cWaffle House Index\u201d (see below).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"key-facts-element\">\n<p><em>10 a.m. EDT, Oct. 9<\/em> \u2014 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference \u201cyou still have time to evacuate if you are in an evacuation zone,\u201d adding roads and highways are still open, but as conditions worsen, \u201cthe best option would probably be just to evacuate within your own county,\u201d as emergency shelters have plenty of space.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"key-facts-element\">\n<p>A hurricane warning is in effect for the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach at the southern tip of the state to the Suwannee River near the panhandle, for the East Coast from the St. Lucie\/Martin County Line northward to Ponte Vedra Beach near Jacksonville and for most inland portions of central and north-central Florida, including Orlando.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"key-facts-element\">\n<p>Hurricane Milton is expected to bring 6 to 12 inches of rain, with localized totals up to 18 inches, across parts of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys through Wednesday night, which could cause &#8220;life-threatening flash, urban and areal flooding,&#8221; according to the NHC.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong><em>Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts<\/em><\/strong><em>: We\u2019re launching text message alerts so you&#8217;ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day\u2019s headlines. Text \u201cAlerts\u201d to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align\">What Time Will Hurricane Milton Make Landfall?<\/h2>\n<p>The National Hurricane Center said Milton will likely make landfall as a major hurricane near or just south of the Tampa Bay region Wednesday night and will move off the east coast of Florida on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align\">Crucial Quote<\/h2>\n<p>&#8220;I\u2019ve said many times that (if) you want to pick a fight with Mother Nature, she\u2019s winning 100 percent of the time,&#8221; Tampa Mayor Jane Castor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox29.com\/news\/hurricane-milton-tampa-bay-evacuation-warnings\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.fox29.com\/news\/hurricane-milton-tampa-bay-evacuation-warnings\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.fox29.com\/news\/hurricane-milton-tampa-bay-evacuation-warnings\" aria-label=\"said\">said<\/a>. &#8220;And individuals that are in these, say you\u2019re in a single-story home. Twelve feet is above that house. So, if you\u2019re in it, you know, basically that\u2019s the coffin you\u2019re in.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><fbs-ad position=\"inread\" progressive=\"\" ad-id=\"article-0-inread\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align\">What Is Storm Surge And Where Could It Be The Worst?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/oceanservice.noaa.gov\/facts\/stormsurge-stormtide.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/oceanservice.noaa.gov\/facts\/stormsurge-stormtide.html\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/oceanservice.noaa.gov\/facts\/stormsurge-stormtide.html\" aria-label=\"Storm surge\">Storm surge<\/a> is the abnormal rise of seawater level caused by a storm. The NHC warned the combination of storm surge and the tide will cause areas that are normally dry near the coast to be flooded. From Anna Maria Island to Boca Grande, the storm surge could be nine to 13 feet above the ground. The surge is forecast to reach eight to 12 feet between Boca Grande and Bonita Beach, and could also reach those heights in Charlotte Harbor. For Tampa Bay, six to nine feet of surge is expected.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align\">Where Have Tornado Warnings Been Issued?<\/h2>\n<p>Numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/alerts.weather.gov\/search?event=Tornado%20Warning\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/alerts.weather.gov\/search?event=Tornado%20Warning\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/alerts.weather.gov\/search?event=Tornado%20Warning\" aria-label=\"tornado warnings\">tornado warnings<\/a> were issued Wednesday afternoon in southern Florida and across the Interstate 95 corridor. <a href=\"https:\/\/alerts.weather.gov\/search?event=Tornado%20Watch\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/alerts.weather.gov\/search?event=Tornado%20Watch\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/alerts.weather.gov\/search?event=Tornado%20Watch\" aria-label=\"Tornado watches\">Tornado watches<\/a> are in effect for most of central and southern Florida through Wednesday night. The NHC noted a \u201crisk of strong tornadoes\u201d will continue through Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align\">What Have Politicians Said About Hurricane Milton?<\/h2>\n<p>President Joe Biden addressed the country from the White House Tuesday morning and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JT3msdawJhU\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JT3msdawJhU\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JT3msdawJhU\" aria-label=\"called\">called<\/a> Hurricane Milton \u201ca matter of life and death.\u201d He encouraged Florida residents in the path of the storm to evacuate \u201cnow\u201d and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/joe-biden\/biden-cancels-trip-africa-ahead-hurricane-milton-hitting-florida-rcna174470\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/joe-biden\/biden-cancels-trip-africa-ahead-hurricane-milton-hitting-florida-rcna174470\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/joe-biden\/biden-cancels-trip-africa-ahead-hurricane-milton-hitting-florida-rcna174470\" aria-label=\"postponed\">postponed<\/a> a planned international trip to Germany and Angola \u201cin order to oversee preparations for and the response to Hurricane Milton.\u201d Vice President Kamala Harris and DeSantis have been in a strange he-said-she-said about the incoming storm, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2024\/10\/08\/harris-desantis-hurricane-helene-milton-calls\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2024\/10\/08\/harris-desantis-hurricane-helene-milton-calls\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2024\/10\/08\/harris-desantis-hurricane-helene-milton-calls\" aria-label=\"Harris accusing DeSantis\">Harris accusing DeSantis<\/a> of not taking her calls and \u201cplaying political games\u201d DeSantis said Harris \u201chas no role in this\u201d and that he&#8217;s been communicating just fine with Biden, who also said he has been in touch. <a href=\"https:\/\/ny1.com\/nyc\/all-boroughs\/weather\/2024\/10\/08\/in-advance-of-hurricane-milton--biden-says-he-gave-his-personal-phone-number-to-florida-gov--ron-desantis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/ny1.com\/nyc\/all-boroughs\/weather\/2024\/10\/08\/in-advance-of-hurricane-milton--biden-says-he-gave-his-personal-phone-number-to-florida-gov--ron-desantis\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/ny1.com\/nyc\/all-boroughs\/weather\/2024\/10\/08\/in-advance-of-hurricane-milton--biden-says-he-gave-his-personal-phone-number-to-florida-gov--ron-desantis\" aria-label=\"Biden said\">Biden said<\/a> he gave DeSantis his personal phone number and told him to call if there is anything the federal government can do to help. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said in an<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PBuXst1yx2w\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PBuXst1yx2w\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PBuXst1yx2w\" aria-label=\"interview with CNN,\"> interview with CNN,<\/a> \u201cI can say without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you\u2019re going to die.\u201d Vice President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/10\/09\/weather\/video\/kamala-harris-hurricane-milton-cnn-interview-digvid\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/10\/09\/weather\/video\/kamala-harris-hurricane-milton-cnn-interview-digvid\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/10\/09\/weather\/video\/kamala-harris-hurricane-milton-cnn-interview-digvid\" aria-label=\"Kamala Harris\">Kamala Harris<\/a> on Wednesday afternoon told CNN even if the category of the storm changed, \u201cthat is not actually a downgrade in terms of the danger and the dangerous potential of it,\u201d urging Floridians to not rely on the designation &#8220;to their detriment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align\">How Is Travel To Florida Impacted By Hurricane Milton?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampaairport.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.tampaairport.com\/\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.tampaairport.com\/\" aria-label=\"Tampa International Airport\">Tampa International Airport<\/a> closed at 9 a.m. Tuesday with plans to reopen \u201cas soon as it is safe\u201d later this week and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.orlandoairports.net\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.orlandoairports.net\/\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.orlandoairports.net\/\" aria-label=\"Orlando International Airport\">Orlando International Airport<\/a> closed at 8 a.m. Wednesday. More than 1,700 flights into and out of the United States were canceled as of 8:50 a.m. on Wednesday, and another 350 were delayed. Orlando saw by far the most cancellations, with 398 flights originating there being canceled and 423 flights arriving there being canceled, followed by Tampa with about 190 canceled each way, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flightaware.com\/live\/cancelled\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.flightaware.com\/live\/cancelled\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.flightaware.com\/live\/cancelled\" aria-label=\"Flight Aware\">Flight Aware<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/suzannerowankelleher\/2024\/10\/05\/hurricane-milton-airlines-travel-alerts-florida\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/suzannerowankelleher\/2024\/10\/05\/hurricane-milton-airlines-travel-alerts-florida\/\" data-ga-track=\"InternalLink:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/suzannerowankelleher\/2024\/10\/05\/hurricane-milton-airlines-travel-alerts-florida\/\" aria-label=\"Major airlines\" rel=\"noopener\">Major airlines<\/a> have told passengers they can change their plans without paying a fare difference. Walt Disney World Resort is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/alisondurkee\/2024\/10\/08\/walt-disney-world-closing-as-hurricane-milton-projected-to-take-150-million-toll\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/alisondurkee\/2024\/10\/08\/walt-disney-world-closing-as-hurricane-milton-projected-to-take-150-million-toll\/\" data-ga-track=\"InternalLink:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/alisondurkee\/2024\/10\/08\/walt-disney-world-closing-as-hurricane-milton-projected-to-take-150-million-toll\/\" aria-label=\"closing its parks\" rel=\"noopener\">closing its parks<\/a> beginning Wednesday morning\u2014news that came after Goldman Sachs predicted the company is likely to take a nine-figure hit financially from the storm. Universal Resort Orlando announced Tuesday afternoon it will close at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday and remain closed Thursday. Legoland Florida Resort and SeaWorld Orlando will both be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, and Busch Gardens Tampa is now closed through Thursday.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align\">Have Waffle Houses Closed For Hurricane Milton?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes. Tampa-area locations of Waffle House, the breakfast food chain, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WaffleHouse\/status\/1844033324483764556?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WaffleHouse\/status\/1844033324483764556?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/x.com\/WaffleHouse\/status\/1844033324483764556?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet\" aria-label=\"will close\">will close<\/a> ahead of Milton&#8217;s projected landfall. The company cited the so-called &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/09\/27\/how-those-facing-hurricane-helene-used-the-waffle-house-index-to-measure-threat\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/09\/27\/how-those-facing-hurricane-helene-used-the-waffle-house-index-to-measure-threat\/\" data-ga-track=\"InternalLink:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/09\/27\/how-those-facing-hurricane-helene-used-the-waffle-house-index-to-measure-threat\/\" aria-label=\"Waffle House Index\" rel=\"noopener\">Waffle House Index<\/a>&#8221; in a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WaffleHouse\/status\/1844033324483764556?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WaffleHouse\/status\/1844033324483764556?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/x.com\/WaffleHouse\/status\/1844033324483764556?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet\" aria-label=\"social media post\">social media post<\/a> explaining the decision, a reference to a scale invented by former Federal Emergency Management Agency&#8217;s (FEMA) administrator Craig Fugate to judge the severity of a natural disaster. If Waffle Houses in an area are open and serving a full menu, it&#8217;s a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wafflehouse.com\/how-to-measure-a-storms-fury-one-breakfast-at-a-time\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.wafflehouse.com\/how-to-measure-a-storms-fury-one-breakfast-at-a-time\/\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.wafflehouse.com\/how-to-measure-a-storms-fury-one-breakfast-at-a-time\/\" aria-label=\"green on the index\">green on the index<\/a>, a limited menu is a yellow on the scale, meaning the local area could be without electricity or water, and the index goes to red if the locations close down, indicating the local community will be in need of significant help.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align\">Could Hurricane Milton Be A Category 6 Hurricane?<\/h2>\n<p>No. There is currently no such thing as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/08\/hurricane-milton-cant-be-a-category-6-but-some-researchers-think-its-time-to-create-a-new-tier-for-the-strongest-storms\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/08\/hurricane-milton-cant-be-a-category-6-but-some-researchers-think-its-time-to-create-a-new-tier-for-the-strongest-storms\/\" data-ga-track=\"InternalLink:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/08\/hurricane-milton-cant-be-a-category-6-but-some-researchers-think-its-time-to-create-a-new-tier-for-the-strongest-storms\/\" aria-label=\"Category 6 hurricane\" rel=\"noopener\">Category 6 hurricane<\/a>. The National Hurricane Center measures storm intensity using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which ranks storms up to a Category 5, but some scientists think it may be time for a change. Earlier this year, researchers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2308901121?ftag=MSF0951a18\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2308901121?ftag=MSF0951a18\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2308901121?ftag=MSF0951a18\" aria-label=\"proposed\">proposed<\/a> adding a sixth hurricane category to describe storms with wind speeds above 192 mph and adjusting the current Category 5 description to include storms with winds between 157 and 192 mph. Using that proposed scale, five storms between 1980 and 2021 would have been classified as a Category 6, none of which threatened to make landfall in the United States. The <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RyanNBC6\/status\/1754932116360401357\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RyanNBC6\/status\/1754932116360401357\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/x.com\/RyanNBC6\/status\/1754932116360401357\" aria-label=\"National Hurricane Center\">National Hurricane Center<\/a> in February said it has no plans to add a Category 6 to its hurricane scale.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align\">Key Background<\/h2>\n<p>Milton will be the second major hurricane to hit Florida in two weeks. Hurricane Helene hit the state on Sept. 26, killing at least 20 in Florida, before going on to devastate parts of the southeastern United States. More than 220 people have died and hundreds more are still missing, with western North Carolina taking the brunt of flooding that the state\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/helene-asheville-north-carolina-c5ff143de63e31bd345066221f5e4d24\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/helene-asheville-north-carolina-c5ff143de63e31bd345066221f5e4d24\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/helene-asheville-north-carolina-c5ff143de63e31bd345066221f5e4d24\" aria-label=\"governor says\">governor says<\/a> wiped communities \u201coff the map.\u201d In Florida, people are still working to clear debris from Helene as the next storm bears down. Ahead of Hurricane Milton, Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, ordered evacuations for areas near Tampa Bay and for all mobile and manufactured homes by Tuesday night. Lee County, home to Fort Myers, issued a mandatory evacuation order for the island of Fort Myers Beach. Other mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in Pinellas County, Pasco County and Manatee County. DeSantis <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jgjbNe33zWY\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jgjbNe33zWY\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jgjbNe33zWY\" aria-label=\"on Tuesday said\">on Tuesday said<\/a> he wasn&#8217;t sure exactly how many people plan to evacuate for Hurricane Milton, but that he thinks those who saw Hurricane Helene will be particularly motivated to leave the area.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align\">Tangent<\/h2>\n<p>Federal Emergency Management Agency has said it is grappling with &#8220;extremely damaging&#8221; false narratives circulating about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mollybohannon\/2024\/10\/08\/fema-blasts-misinformation-the-campaign-to-politicize-hurricane-helene-explained\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mollybohannon\/2024\/10\/08\/fema-blasts-misinformation-the-campaign-to-politicize-hurricane-helene-explained\/\" data-ga-track=\"InternalLink:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mollybohannon\/2024\/10\/08\/fema-blasts-misinformation-the-campaign-to-politicize-hurricane-helene-explained\/\" aria-label=\"Hurricane Helene,\" rel=\"noopener\">Hurricane Helene,<\/a> which hit the U.S. two weeks ago. FEMA chief Deanne Criswell said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mollybohannon\/2024\/10\/09\/biden-calls-out-trump-and-marjorie-taylor-green-for-hurricane-misinformation-beyond-ridiculous\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mollybohannon\/2024\/10\/09\/biden-calls-out-trump-and-marjorie-taylor-green-for-hurricane-misinformation-beyond-ridiculous\/\" data-ga-track=\"InternalLink:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mollybohannon\/2024\/10\/09\/biden-calls-out-trump-and-marjorie-taylor-green-for-hurricane-misinformation-beyond-ridiculous\/\" aria-label=\"misinformation\" rel=\"noopener\">misinformation<\/a> about the storm and the federal government&#8217;s response is the &#8220;worst&#8221; she&#8217;s ever seen as former President Donald Trump and his allies slam the agency. Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wvtm13.com\/article\/trump-makes-false-claims-on-disaster-spending-harris-appears-with-unlikely-republican-ally\/62509353\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.wvtm13.com\/article\/trump-makes-false-claims-on-disaster-spending-harris-appears-with-unlikely-republican-ally\/62509353\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/www.wvtm13.com\/article\/trump-makes-false-claims-on-disaster-spending-harris-appears-with-unlikely-republican-ally\/62509353\" aria-label=\"incorrectly claimed\">incorrectly claimed<\/a> FEMA couldn\u2019t respond appropriately to the storm because it diverted so much money to helping migrants on the order of Vice President Kamala Harris. Homeland Security Secretary <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/US\/wireStory\/mayorkas-warns-fema-funding-hurricane-season-114449475\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/US\/wireStory\/mayorkas-warns-fema-funding-hurricane-season-114449475\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/US\/wireStory\/mayorkas-warns-fema-funding-hurricane-season-114449475\" aria-label=\"Alejandro Mayorkas\">Alejandro Mayorkas<\/a> said the agency is \u201cmeeting the immediate needs with the money that we have.\u201d Other rumors include that FEMA has been withholding aid from areas that have historically voted Republican and that the agency is only giving $750 to disaster survivors to support their recovery.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align\">Further Reading<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"embed-base color-body color-body-border link-embed embed-16 link-embed--long-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/why-officials-are-warning-to-take-milton-seriously-even-as-designation-falls-to-category-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Why Officials Are Warning To Take Milton Seriously\u2014Even As Designation Falls To Category 3\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-ga-track=\"forbesEmbedly:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/why-officials-are-warning-to-take-milton-seriously-even-as-designation-falls-to-category-3\/\"><span class=\"link-embed__info\"><span class=\"link-embed__provider\">Forbes<\/span><span class=\"link-embed__title\">Why Officials Are Warning To Take Milton Seriously\u2014Even As Designation Falls To Category 3<\/span><small class=\"link-embed__byline\">By <span class=\"link-embed__author\">Mary Whitfill Roeloffs<\/span><\/small><\/span><span class=\"link-embed__thumbnail-wrapper\"><span class=\"link-embed__thumbnail allow-inline-style\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/specials-images.forbesimg.com\/imageserve\/6706eb32e5d8ec4091d6f2bc\/960x0.jpg?cropX1=0&amp;cropX2=1767&amp;cropY1=91&amp;cropY2=1085);\"\/><\/span><\/a><a class=\"embed-base color-body color-body-border link-embed embed-20 link-embed--long-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/09\/27\/how-those-facing-hurricane-helene-used-the-waffle-house-index-to-measure-threat\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Hurricane Milton Hits Red On \u2018Waffle House Index\u2019\u2014The Natural Disaster Scale, Explained\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-ga-track=\"forbesEmbedly:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/09\/27\/how-those-facing-hurricane-helene-used-the-waffle-house-index-to-measure-threat\/\"><span class=\"link-embed__info\"><span class=\"link-embed__provider\">Forbes<\/span><span class=\"link-embed__title\">Hurricane Milton Hits Red On \u2018Waffle House Index\u2019\u2014The Natural Disaster Scale, Explained<\/span><small class=\"link-embed__byline\">By <span class=\"link-embed__author\">Mary Whitfill Roeloffs<\/span><\/small><\/span><span class=\"link-embed__thumbnail-wrapper\"><span class=\"link-embed__thumbnail allow-inline-style\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/specials-images.forbesimg.com\/imageserve\/6706a2a3c7dd9b319d717676\/960x0.jpg?cropX1=401&amp;cropX2=3583&amp;cropY1=271&amp;cropY2=2062);\"\/><\/span><\/a><a class=\"embed-base color-body color-body-border link-embed embed-18 link-embed--long-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mollybohannon\/2024\/10\/09\/biden-calls-out-trump-and-marjorie-taylor-green-for-hurricane-misinformation-beyond-ridiculous\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Biden Calls Out Trump And Marjorie Taylor Green For Hurricane Misinformation: \u2018Beyond Ridiculous\u2019\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-ga-track=\"forbesEmbedly:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mollybohannon\/2024\/10\/09\/biden-calls-out-trump-and-marjorie-taylor-green-for-hurricane-misinformation-beyond-ridiculous\/\"><span class=\"link-embed__info\"><span class=\"link-embed__provider\">Forbes<\/span><span class=\"link-embed__title\">Biden Calls Out Trump And Marjorie Taylor Green For Hurricane Misinformation: \u2018Beyond Ridiculous\u2019<\/span><small class=\"link-embed__byline\">By <span class=\"link-embed__author\">Molly Bohannon<\/span><\/small><\/span><span class=\"link-embed__thumbnail-wrapper\"><span class=\"link-embed__thumbnail allow-inline-style\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/specials-images.forbesimg.com\/imageserve\/6706c4a908fcf2451a9782a8\/960x0.jpg?cropX1=0&amp;cropX2=1705&amp;cropY1=77&amp;cropY2=1036);\"\/><\/span><\/a><a class=\"embed-base color-body color-body-border link-embed embed-4 link-embed--long-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/08\/hurricane-milton-cant-be-a-category-6-but-some-researchers-think-its-time-to-create-a-new-tier-for-the-strongest-storms\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Hurricane Milton Can\u2019t Be A \u2018Category 6\u2019\u2014But Some Researchers Think It\u2019s Time To Create A New Tier For The Strongest Storms\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-ga-track=\"forbesEmbedly:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/08\/hurricane-milton-cant-be-a-category-6-but-some-researchers-think-its-time-to-create-a-new-tier-for-the-strongest-storms\/\"><span class=\"link-embed__info\"><span class=\"link-embed__provider\">Forbes<\/span><span class=\"link-embed__title\">Hurricane Milton Can\u2019t Be A \u2018Category 6\u2019\u2014But Some Researchers Think It\u2019s Time To Create A New Tier For The Strongest Storms<\/span><small class=\"link-embed__byline\">By <span class=\"link-embed__author\">Mary Whitfill Roeloffs<\/span><\/small><\/span><span class=\"link-embed__thumbnail-wrapper\"><span class=\"link-embed__thumbnail allow-inline-style\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/specials-images.forbesimg.com\/imageserve\/67053ad874b753c0771076d4\/960x0.jpg?cropX1=0&amp;cropX2=1453&amp;cropY1=75&amp;cropY2=892);\"\/><\/span><\/a><a class=\"embed-base color-body color-body-border link-embed embed-2 link-embed--long-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mollybohannon\/2024\/10\/08\/fema-blasts-misinformation-the-campaign-to-politicize-hurricane-helene-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"FEMA Blasts Misinformation: The Campaign To Politicize Hurricane Helene, Explained\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-ga-track=\"forbesEmbedly:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mollybohannon\/2024\/10\/08\/fema-blasts-misinformation-the-campaign-to-politicize-hurricane-helene-explained\/\"><span class=\"link-embed__info\"><span class=\"link-embed__provider\">Forbes<\/span><span class=\"link-embed__title\">FEMA Blasts Misinformation: The Campaign To Politicize Hurricane Helene, Explained<\/span><small class=\"link-embed__byline\">By <span class=\"link-embed__author\">Molly Bohannon<\/span><\/small><\/span><span class=\"link-embed__thumbnail-wrapper\"><span class=\"link-embed__thumbnail allow-inline-style\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/specials-images.forbesimg.com\/imageserve\/67055e327368b52d139ca801\/960x0.jpg?cropX1=0&amp;cropX2=1578&amp;cropY1=81&amp;cropY2=969);\"\/><\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maryroeloffs\/2024\/10\/09\/hurricane-milton-live-updates-life-threatening-hurricane-force-winds-expected-in-florida-soon\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Topline Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida\u2019s Gulf Coast, where millions have been told to evacuate as forecasters warn it could be be \u201cone of the most destructive hurricanes on record\u201d &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=112405\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8629],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-u-s","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=112405"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112405\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=112405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=112405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=112405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}