Florida braces for its largest evacuation since 2017 as Hurricane Milton strengthens

A collapsed lifeguard tower as a result of Hurricane Helene is seen in Clearwater, Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected mid-week landfall, on October 6, 2024. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the new storm, Milton, had intensified into a Category 1 hurricane Sunday with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles (130 kilometers) an hour. (Photo by Bryan R. SMITH / AFP)