Hurricane Milton updates: 16 dead across Florida in storm's aftermath

The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, just outside of Tampa, Florida, will close at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and stay shut on Wednesday and Thursday.

"The airport is in a mandatory evacuation zone and is not a public shelter," airport officials tweeted. "Prepare and stay safe."

Tampa International Airport will suspend operations beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday and stay closed "until it can assess any damage after the storm," airport officials said.

The Orlando International Airport will close Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. and reopen as soon as it's safe, officials said. Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) will cease operations at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport will close at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Those currently under an evacuation order due to the threat of Hurricane Milton should leave now, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tweeted Monday evening.

"Hurricane #Milton is intensifying to record strength. If you've received an evacuation order, leave NOW," he tweeted. "@DHSgov, the Biden-Harris Admin, and local and state partners are prepositioning life-saving resources. Stay informed via @FEMA or the FEMA app."

Keith Turi, acting director of response and recovery for FEMA, outlined on Monday the agency's preparations for Hurricane Milton and urged anyone in the storm's path to take it seriously.

"We're urging anyone that is in an evacuation area, anyone that is told to evacuate, to please do so," Turi said.

He also hit back against misinformation and conspiracy theories about the storm, calling it "extremely damaging." In Georgia on Friday, former President Donald Trump pushed the baseless claim that FEMA had diverted disaster funds towards cities with an influx of migrants.

"It's unfortunate, because these individuals have been through extremely traumatic times," Turi said. "They've lost loved ones, they've lost their home and now they're being influenced by information that just isn't accurate."

The storm surge forecast for Hurricane Milton has been revised higher by the National Hurricane Center.

Florida's west coast can expect a maximum of 10-15 feet in some areas, according to the NHC. Milton poses an "extremely serious" threat, the NHC said.

Winds are now clocking in at 180 mph, the NHC reported.