As Hurricane Milton approaches the west coast of Florida, authorities are urging residents to take immediate precautions. The Category 4 storm is expected to make landfall later today, bringing with it powerful winds, torrential rain, and life-threatening storm surges. The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for large portions of the coastline, with storm surge warnings extending across the region. Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to evacuate as the storm’s impact is expected to be severe.

Forecasters are particularly concerned about the potential for catastrophic flooding, with storm surges predicted to reach as high as 10 feet in some coastal communities. Local officials have implemented mandatory evacuation orders in several counties, warning residents that conditions will deteriorate rapidly. Emergency shelters have been set up across the region, and those unable to evacuate are encouraged to seek refuge in these designated safe zones.

The state’s emergency management teams are working around the clock to assist with the evacuations and preparations. Florida’s Governor has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing the National Guard to help with the response effort. He urged Floridians to heed evacuation warnings and stay off the roads as conditions worsen. “This storm is not to be taken lightly,” he said in a press briefing. “We are expecting significant impacts across a large portion of our state.”

As Milton continues its path toward landfall, airports in the region have canceled flights, and several ports have closed to maritime traffic. Utility companies are also bracing for widespread power outages, with teams already in place to begin restoring electricity once it is safe to do so. Residents are being urged to finalize their storm preparations, as time to safely evacuate is running out.