‘You are going to die’: Florida mayor issues grave warning if residents ignore Milton evacuation orders

(Gray News) - A mayor in Florida issued a grave warning to residents who might ignore evacuation orders as Hurricane Milton marches toward the state.

In an interview with CNN, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor delivered a dire warning to residents.

“Helene was a wake-up call. This is literally catastrophic,” Castor said. “I can say this without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die.”

In less than 24 hours, Milton intensified into a Category 5 hurricane.

Milton, now a Category 4, has become one of the most rapidly intensifying storms on record.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, just weeks after Helene caused destruction.

Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for areas surrounding Tampa Bay, including Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County and Manatee County, WESH reported.

Officials said residents in Florida should follow evacuation orders as Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.

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