Monster Hurricane Milton on Collision Course with Florida; Evacuations Ordered for Over a Million

Forecasters predict destructive winds, life-threatening floods, and storm surges up to 15 feet as the Category 4 hurricane targets the Florida Peninsula.

As Floridians brace for Hurricane Milton and evacuate where possible, emergency responders are positioning themselves to manage both pre-landfall preparations and post-storm recovery efforts. Florida is home to a significant population of Virgin Islanders. The state's central and southern regions, especially areas like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Orange counties, which include cities such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando, respectively, have become key hubs for Caribbean communities due to opportunities in employment, education, and relatively affordable housing, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Research.

At 5 a.m. Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center reported that Milton was just north of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, after lashing the city of Merida with high winds and heavy rain. Now, the monster storm is on a collision course with Florida, where over a million people have been ordered to evacuate ahead of its anticipated arrival on Wednesday night.