Republican Issues Warning About Hurricane Milton

Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R) sounded the alarm this week as Hurricane Milton rapidly escalated into a Category 5 storm, mirroring a worst-case scenario he had previously requested from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). In a post on social media platform X, Rubio shared his concerns, stating, “Several years ago, I asked the NHC to show me what the worst-case storm hitting Florida would look like. What they showed me back then is almost identical to the #Milton forecast now.”

The timing couldn’t be worse for Florida, as the state is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which wreaked havoc across multiple states in the Southeast. Now, Milton’s projected path indicates that it will make landfall in the Tampa Bay area around midweek, with forecasters warning that the storm could maintain hurricane strength as it moves inland.

Experts are particularly concerned about the potential for a “life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds,” which are expected to affect large portions of Florida’s west coast starting Tuesday evening. The NHC has emphasized that this storm poses serious risks to life and property.

In light of these warnings, Rubio urged residents living in evacuation zones to take immediate action. “The time to leave is as soon as you can,” he posted, emphasizing the importance of not waiting until the last minute.

Fellow Florida Senator Rick Scott (R) echoed these sentiments, urging residents in danger zones to evacuate without delay. “Get out NOW if you’ve been told to do so!” he posted, adding, “Hurricane #Milton and the deadly storm surge it will bring are on the way. Don’t try to wait it out. This is a matter of life and death!”

As Florida prepares for what could be a devastating storm, the message from its leaders is clear: prioritize safety and heed evacuation orders promptly.