Final preparations underway as Hurricane Milton charges toward Florida

Update: Wednesday, 5 p.m. ET:
Multiple tornado warnings were in effect Wednesday afternoon across the Florida peninsula, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical storm-force winds were moving onshore on the west coast of the state.  With maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, Hurricane Milton has been downgraded to a Category 3 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Speaking during the Wednesday afternoon White House news conference, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said she'd briefed both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris earlier in the day. She characterized the storm as a catastrophic and potentially deadly event, and urged Florida residents to listen to their local authorities and take safety measures. She said it was already bringing tornados to Florida, but it would also bring deadly storm surge, intense winds and flooding. 

Original story:

The National Hurricane Center on Wednesday morning urged residents in the path of the storm to finish preparations to protect their homes and move to a safe location. While Milton has wavered between being a Category 4 and 5 hurricane, it is forecast to bring a devastating storm surge, dangerous winds, tornadoes, and heavy rainfall when it makes landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. At least 155 shelters were open across the state as officials warned Wednesday morning is the last chance for people on Florida’s west coast to get to safety.

What is Milton’s projected path? The storm is forecast to make landfall near Tampa and could be one of the most dangerous storms to hit the peninsula in nearly two decades. It is expected to maintain hurricane status as it travels over Florida and into the Atlantic.

Dig deeper: Read my report about the massive evacuation effort ahead of the storm.