People visit the beach as storm clouds hang pass overhead before Hurricane Milton’s arrival on October 08, 2024 in Fort Myers, Florida.
Joe Raedle | Getty Images
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. About 1,200 of the state’s 7,900 gas stations, or nearly 16%, are currently without fuel, according to data from GasBuddy.
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.
Spencer Platt | Getty Images
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.
Florida Aquarium | TMX | Via Reuters
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.
Octavio Jones | Reuters
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.
Ricardo Arduengo | Reuters
Tampa looks deserted as residents prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Milton on October 09, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.
Spencer Platt | Getty Images
Orlando, Florida
Cars drive during heavy rainfall as Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Orlando, Florida, U.S., October 9, 2024.
Jose Luis Gonzalez | Reuters
People arrive at Walt Disney World as Hurricane Milton approaches, in Orlando, Florida, U.S., October 9, 2024.
Jose Luis Gonzalez | Reuters
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.
Giorgio Viera | AFP | Getty Images
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.
Stephen M. Dowell | Orlando Sentinel | Tribune News Service | Getty Images
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.
Joe Cavaretta | South Florida Sun Sentinel | Tribune News Service | Getty Images
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.
Octavio Jones | Reuters
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.
Ricardo Arduengo | Reuters
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.
Ricardo Arduengo | Reuters
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.
Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Bradenton, Florida
People prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Milton in Brandenton, Florida on October 9, 2024.
Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo | AFP | Getty Images
People arrive to shelter at the Buffalo Creek Middle School ahead of Hurricane Milton expected landfall in Bradenton, Florida on October 9, 2024.
Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo | AFP | Getty Images
CNBC’s Danielle DeVries contributed to this report.