Hurricane Milton tracker: Monster storm pummels Florida after landfall

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned Wednesday that "the window for evacuation is closing," stressing, "This is a matter of life and death."

"This is going to be a storm of historic proportions," she said.

"The roads look pretty clear right now, so you don’t have to go far," Castor said. "Just get out of the way of that storm surge."

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Tampa mayor gives final warning to those in evacuation zones

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says "time is of the essence" as Hurricane Milton nears landfall.

ABCNews.com

-ABC News’ Jason Volack

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell stressed that the response to Hurricane Milton in Florida will not impact the ongoing recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene across the Southeast.

"These resource movements are not taking away from the ongoing complicated response and recovery we are still working in the aftermath of Helene," Criswell said.

She said FEMA has distributed "over $60 million from our individual assistance program directly to people here in North Carolina" impacted by Helene.

"This is incredible, meaningful progress, and we at FEMA stand ready to both continue this critical work while we respond to Hurricane Milton in the coming days," she said.

-ABC News’ Molly Nagle

Fifty-one out of Florida’s 67 counties are under a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Milton, which has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday urged residents in evacuation zones -- particularly in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties -- to evacuate now.

"The roads are flowing and shelters have space. There’s still time," he said.

About 31,000 people stayed in shelters across Florida Tuesday night and the shelters can accommodate over 200,000 people, according to Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

"If you think it’s too late, there is room," Guthrie said. "Your home can be replaced, but you cannot."

DeSantis announced the largest staging of utility workers in U.S. history, with over 50,000 linemen ready to restore power as soon as the storm passes.

-ABC News’ Jason Volack

Vice President Kamala Harris released a stern warning against engaging in price gouging and fraud in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton.

"Those evacuating before Hurricane Milton or recovering from Hurricane Helene should not be subject to illegal price gouging or fraud -- at the pump, airport, or hotel counter," Harris said in a statement. "Any company or individual that tries to exploit Americans in an emergency should know that the Administration is monitoring for allegations of fraud and price gouging and will hold those taking advantage of the situation accountable."

-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart