As Hurricane Milton looms on the horizon, Tampa has transformed into a deserted landscape, with its residents undertaking a mass evacuation. The normally bustling streets are eerily quiet, devoid of both traffic and pedestrians, with only the distant rumble of thunder breaking the silence.
A chilling video captured on Tuesday by the account @cubaaqui highlights the emptiness of a major avenue in Tampa, accompanied by the haunting caption: "Tampa is a ghost town."
Tampa's mayor, Jane Castor, delivered a stern warning to the community about the life-threatening dangers posed by Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds reaching 155 mph. "Helene was a wake-up call. This is literally catastrophic. If you choose to stay in an evacuation zone, your life is at risk," she emphasized, urging residents to evacuate to ensure their safety.
Massive Evacuation Underway
The western coast of Florida is experiencing one of the largest evacuations in its history. Highways, particularly Interstate 75, are jam-packed as residents make their escape from the impending threat.
Rose Angelakopoulos, an officer with the Tampa Police Department, issued a stark statement: "For those who refuse to evacuate voluntarily, I suggest taking a picture of your clothing for identification purposes after the storm." She also advised residents to write their names and birthdates on their arms with permanent marker to aid in identification, whether for rescues or in the unfortunate event of fatalities.
Hurricane Milton's Imminent Impact
Hurricane Milton, classified as a major hurricane, continues its path toward Tampa. Meanwhile, hundreds of people seek refuge far from the now empty and silent city.