Photos show Florida preparations and evacuations ahead of Hurricane Milton

Photos show Florida preparations and evacuations ahead of Hurricane Milton

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

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 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.

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