People visit the beach as storm clouds pass overhead before Hurricane Milton reaches Fort Myers, Florida, on October 8, 2024.
Joe Reddell | Getty Images
local authority said wednesday Floridians have just hours to evacuate storm surge areas as Milton, currently a Category 4 hurricane, is expected to make landfall on the state’s west coast late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Gas stations across the state have been running out of fuel as people try to leave the state or stock up on fuel for home generators. According to statistics, about 1,200 of the state’s 7,900 gas stations, or nearly 16%, are currently without fuel Data from GasBuddy.
Floridians are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which devastated the state in late September, and are now scrambling to prepare for or escape areas where the storm is expected.
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring Life-threatening storm surgeas well as isolated tornadoes and dangerous flooding. The rain has come Winds are likely to increase Wednesday afternoon in the Tampa metro area.
Tampa, Florida
As Hurricane Milton approaches Tampa, Florida, on October 8, 2024, parts of the city are nearly deserted.
Spencer Pratt | Getty Images
On October 8, 2024, in Tampa, Florida, the United States, a penguin was lured into a carrier at the Florida Aquarium before the arrival of Hurricane Milton, preparing to be moved to higher ground.
Florida Aquarium | TMX | Reuters
People ride in vehicles next to a barrier at Tampa General Hospital as Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Tampa, Florida, USA, on October 9, 2024.
Octavio Jones | Reuters
On October 8, 2024, in Tampa, Florida, as Hurricane Milton approached and the gas station ran out of fuel, a gas station manager wrapped the fuel pump in plastic.
Ricardo Arduungo | Reuters
Tampa, Florida, looks desolate as residents prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Milton on October 9, 2024.
Spencer Pratt | Getty Images
Orlando, Florida
Cars drive during heavy rain as Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Orlando, Florida, USA, on October 9, 2024.
Jose Luis Gonzalez | Reuters
People arrive at Walt Disney World as Hurricane Milton approaches on October 9, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, the United States.
Jose Luis Gonzalez | Reuters
Residents in the Apopka area fill bags to protect their homes from possible flooding ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival in Orlando, Florida, on October 9, 2024.
George Vieira | AFP | Getty Images
The Villages, Florida
Duke Energy project manager Tiger Yates (bottom center of photo) walks among hundreds of lineman trucks in The Villages, Florida, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
Stephen M. Dowell | Orlando Sentinel | Tribune News Service | Getty Images
Oakland Park, Florida
Drivers in Oakland Park, Florida, are warned to stay off the streets in the rain. South Florida is now bracing for wind and rain from Hurricane Milton.
Joe Cavaretta | South Florida Sun-Sentinel | Tribune News Service | Getty Images
St. Petersburg, Florida
Sofia Andreeva boarded up her home before Hurricane Milton arrived in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, on October 8, 2024.
Octavio Jones | Reuters
fort myers florida
On October 8, 2024, drone footage showed storm clouds appearing over the Caloosahatchee River as Hurricane Milton approached Fort Myers, Florida, USA.
Ricardo Arduungo | Ricardo Arduungo Reuters
A sign indicates that an evacuation order is in effect for beach areas ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival in Fort Myers, Florida, on October 8, 2024.
Joe Reddell | Getty Images
Store beverage shelves are empty as people prepare before Hurricane Milton arrives in Fort Myers, Florida, on October 8, 2024.
Joe Reddell | Getty Images
CNBC’s Danielle DeVries contributed to this report.
