- Local authorities said Wednesday that Floridians only have a few hours left to evacuate the storm surge area as Hurricane Milton gets closer.
- The storm is projected to make landfall on the western coast of the state.
- Floridians still recovering from Hurricane Helene are now scrambling to prepare or escape the projected storm areas.
People visit the beach as storm clouds hang pass overhead before Hurricane Milton's arrival on October 08, 2024 in Fort Myers, Florida.
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Local authorities said Wednesday that Floridians only have a few hours left to evacuate the storm surge area as Milton, which is currently a Category 4 hurricane, is projected to make landfall on the western coast of the state late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Gas stations around the state have already run out of fuel as people attempt to either leave the state or have fuel on stock for at-home generators. Around 23% of the state's gas stations are currently without fuel, up from around 17% on Tuesday, according to data from GasBuddy.
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Floridians are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which devastated the state in late September, and now are scrambling to prepare or escape the projected storm areas.
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges, as well as isolated tornadoes and dangerous flooding. Rain has already hit the Tampa metropolitan area and winds are likely to increase Wednesday afternoon.
Tampa, Florida
Parts of the city are mostly empty as Hurricane Milton approaches on October 08, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.
A penguin is lured into a carrier to be relocated to higher ground at Florida Aquarium ahead of Hurricane Milton, in Tampa, Florida, U.S. October 8, 2024 in this screen grab from a video.
People transit in a vehicle next to a barrier at Tampa General Hospital, as Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Tampa, Florida, U.S., October 9, 2024.
A gas station manager wraps a fuel pump with plastic after the gas station ran out of fuel, as Hurricane Milton approaches, in Tampa, Florida October 8, 2024.
Tampa looks deserted as residents prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Milton on October 09, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.
Orlando, Florida
Cars drive during heavy rainfall as Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Orlando, Florida, U.S., October 9, 2024.
People arrive at Walt Disney World as Hurricane Milton approaches, in Orlando, Florida, U.S., October 9, 2024.
Residents of the Apopka area fill bags to protect their homes from possible flooding before the arrival of Hurricane Milton, in Orlando, Florida on October 9, 2024.
Screens showing canceled flights at Orlando International Airport, closed to commercial flights ahead of Hurricane Milton's arrival in Florida on October 9, 2024.
Orlando International Airport, closed to commercial flights ahead of Hurricane Milton's arrival in Florida on October 9, 2024.
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Members of the Florida Army National Guard check for any remaining residents in nearly-deserted Bradenton Beach, where piles of debris from Hurricane Helene flooding still sits outside damaged homes ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, on Anna Maria Island, Fla.
The Villages, Florida
Duke Energy project manager Tiger Yates (at middle in bottom of photo) walks among the hundreds of lineman trucks staged at The Villages, Florida, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
Oakland Park, Florida
Drivers are warned to keep away from a street in Oakland Park, Florida, amid the rain. South Florida is now bracing for winds and rain from Hurricane Milton.
Lakeland, Florida
Members of the Polk County Sheriff's Office pray outside a shelter as Hurricane Milton approaches, in Lakeland, Florida, U.S., October 9, 2024.
St. Petersburg, Florida
Sofia Andreeva boards up her home ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S., October 8, 2024.
Fort Myers, Florida
A drone view shows storm clouds over the Caloosahatchee River as Hurricane Milton approaches Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. October 8, 2024.
A Lee County deputy sheriff checks a driver at the closed Fort Myers Beach bridge as Hurricane Milton approaches Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. October 9, 2024.
Empty shelves are seen in the drinks aisle of a store as people prepare before Hurricane Milton's arrival on October 08, 2024 in Fort Myers, Florida.
Connor Ferran (L) and his neighbor Leroy Roker survey what is left after what appeared to be a tornado tore the roof off of Ferran's home before Hurricane Milton's arrival on October 09, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida.
A woman cries after seeing the damages caused by a passing tornado as Hurricane Milton approaches Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. October 9, 2024.
Bradenton, Florida
People prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Milton in Brandenton, Florida on October 9, 2024.
People arrive to shelter at theBuffalo Creek Middle School ahead of Hurricane Milton expected landfall in Bradenton, Florida on October 9, 2024.
Palmetto, Florida
Hundreds take shelter at Virgil Mills Elementary School ahead of Hurricane Milton, in Palmetto, Florida, United States on October 09, 2024.
New Port Richey, Florida
Members of Pasco County utilities set up in classrooms in a hurricane shelter at River Ridge Middle/High School in preparation for Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in New Port Richey, Fla.
CNBC's Danielle DeVries contributed to this report.
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