Hurricane Milton, which will be the second major storm to hit the United States in weeks, has currently been classified as a Category Five storm. As communities across the Southeast, including in Florida, continue their road to recovery and rebuilding after Hurricane Helene, the Biden-Harris Administration is mobilizing additional resources and personnel to prepare for the impacts of this new major storm.

Extremely powerful Hurricane Milton is expected to grow in size and remain an extremely dangerous hurricane when it approaches the west coast of Florida on Wednesday, according to an advisory from the National Hurricane Center, which is closely monitoring the storm’s path and strength. Milton strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane near the northern Yucatan Peninsula. 

As per the latest advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center, a large area of destructive storms surge will occur along parts of the west coast of Florida.

“Forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane when it reaches Florida Wednesday night. This is an extremely life-threatening situation and residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate immediately if told to do so,” the National Hurricane Center warned on Tuesday.

In its advisory yesterday the NHC reported that devastating hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida, where a hurricane warning is in effect.

Milton is forecast to remain a hurricane as it crosses the Florida Peninsula and life-threatening hurricane-force winds, are expected to spread inland across the peninsula.

“Preparation to protect life and property in the warning areas should be complete by tonight,” the NHC added in one of its key messages yesterday.

Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard said on Monday that captains of the ports set port conditions, Tuesday, for the ports of Brunswick, Savannah, coastal South Carolina and all other terminals and facilities due to forecasted sustained tropical storm force winds generated by Hurricane Milton that may arrive within 72 hours.

President Biden was briefed on Monday on Hurricane Milton’s potential impacts to the Florida Gulf Coast.

Furthermore, the Administration has been in touch with officials from the State of Florida, as well as more than 15 local officials in cities and counties along the likely path of impact, to ensure needs are met in advance of the storm.

The White House has announced that FEMA currently has 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water in the pipeline to deploy as needed used to address ongoing Helene and Milton response efforts with capacity to expand as needed.

The Governor of Florida has additionally activated 4,000 State active-duty National Guard, many of whom will help with debris removal.

The US Coast Guard district seven area command pre-staged and prepositioned personnel, aircraft, and boats in advance of Hurricane Milton expected to make landfall late Wednesday evening. 

“The Coast Guard stands Always Ready to support the State of Florida and any other impacted states or communities in the wake of hurricane Milton,” said Rear. Adm. Douglas Schofield, commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District.

“Our Coast Guard crews are part of the communities where they live and serve. Our homes and families were also impacted by Helene and now, they are threatened by Milton. We urge you to listen to the National Weather Service warnings, to state officials, including the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and your local or county emergency response agencies. Stay off the water. If you choose to shelter in place, remain in a safe and secure area until officials provide additional guidance.”