Tampa Mayor Issues Grave Warning Ahead of Hurricane Milton

Mandatory evacuations are underway in Hillsborough County, Florida, which is in the crosshairs of the approaching Hurricane Milton. And the mayor of Tampa issued a grave warning to those who defy the evacuation order.

Milton, which is currently classified as a Category 4 after temporarily reaching Category 5 strength on Monday, is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area late Wednesday. The storm is already second-strongest Gulf hurricane in recorded history, with forecasters warning that it will only grow in size as it nears landfall.

While speaking with CNN's Kaitlan Collins on Monday evening, Tampa's Mayor Jane Castor emphasized how dangerous Milton will be, when asked her most important message to residents.

"The number one message for several days now is that you need to prepare and do whatever you need to do and then get out of the evacuation zones," Castor explained. "And as we all have heard so many times now, you hide from the wind and run from the water."

She said that with the current possibility of a direct hit, the coastal city is looking at 10 to 12 foot total surges. Compare that to Hurricane Helene, which caused six foot storm surges when it hit a week ago and still caused widespread devastation.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor: “I can say this without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die.” pic.twitter.com/CP0VmK3TUC

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 8, 2024

Castor likewise did not mince words when asked what she would say to those choosing to stay and ride out the storm.

"I can tell you right now they might have done that in others, there’s never been one like this. And Helene was a wakeup call, this is literally catastrophic," she warned. "And I can say without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re gonna die."

Her response shocked even Collins, but underscores exactly how life-threatening this storm will be. On Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center's Storm Surge Unit issued a similarly critical warning.

"A large area of destructive storm surge from Milton will occur along parts of the west coast of Florida on Wednesday," the agency wrote. "This is extremely life-threatening and residents should follow advice given by local officials including evacuation orders."

10/8 7am CDT: A large area of destructive storm surge from #Milton will occur along parts of the west coast of Florida on Wednesday. This is extremely life-threatening & residents should follow advice given by local officials including evacuation orders. pic.twitter.com/OCcqaLnLDg

— NHC Storm Surge (@NHC_Surge) October 8, 2024