Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane Monday on a path toward Florida population centers including Tampa and Orlando, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations.

Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane Monday on a path toward Florida population centers including Tampa and Orlando, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations less than two weeks after a catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline.

Officials said they are preparing for the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017 when about 7 million Floridians left their homes.

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    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that it was imperative that messes from Helene be cleared ahead of Milton’s arrival so they don’t become dangerous flying projectiles. More than 300 vehicles picked up debris Sunday but encountered a locked landfill gate when they tried to drop it off. State troopers used a rope tied to a pickup truck and busted it open, DeSantis said.

    “We don’t have time for bureaucracy and red tape,” DeSantis said. “We have to get the job done.”

    Interesting to see the Governor and State Troopers breaking into a landfill of all places, trying to get debris in a central location I guess. Although unless they also have someone in this previously locked landfill burying or securing in some other manner all this debit, then it’s just putting it all in one place you hope the hurricane doesn’t hit?

    Edit - Anyone in Florida and the surrounding areas stay safe! Evacuate if you can.