Hurricane Milton update: Storm weakens to Category 2, flash flood emergency issued for Tampa Bay

TAMPA, Fla. - About 90 minutes after making landfall Wednesday night, Hurricane Milton weakened to a Category 2 storm, with winds reaching 110 mph (175 kph). The storm's center was located roughly 20 miles northeast of Sarasota, moving east-northeast at 16 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Although the storm had lost some strength, it remained dangerous. A flash flood emergency was issued for the Tampa Bay area, including St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as heavy rain created a severe threat to life. The National Weather Service warned that catastrophic flooding was either already happening or imminent, urging immediate precautions.

Milton's landfall comes as the region is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which left severe damage in beach communities and caused 12 deaths in Pinellas County.

President Joe Biden spoke Wednesday evening about Milton, urging residents to listen to local officials and follow all safety instructions. 

Biden also said that he has deployed federal resources to Florida to aid with any hurricane relief before and after the storm. 

"We've got your back," he said. 

"Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida," the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning.

The Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3.3 million people, faced the possibility of widespread destruction after avoiding direct hits from major hurricanes for more than a century. 

Officials earlier issued urgent warnings, telling residents to evacuate or face severe consequences.

"This is it, folks," said Cathie Perkins, emergency management director in Pinellas County, which borders Tampa Bay. "Those of you who were punched during Hurricane Helene, this is going to be a knockout. You need to get out, and you need to get out now."

By late afternoon, some officials said evacuation was no longer an option. By evening, several counties had suspended emergency services.

"Unless you have a really good reason to leave at this point, we suggest you just hunker down," said Polk County Emergency Management Director Paul Womble.

Multiple tornadoes spun off from Hurricane Milton as it approached, with videos showing large funnel clouds over Palm Beach County and other areas.

Milton, a Category 3 storm by Wednesday evening, was expected to continue as a hurricane across the state, including Orlando, through Thursday.

Tampa Bay hasn’t had a direct hit from a major hurricane in over 100 years, but residents remained on alert.

"That doesn't mean it couldn't happen," said Luisa Meshekoff, who chose to stay in her Tampa home with her partner and eight cats. The couple, in a mandatory evacuation zone, decided against leaving due to concerns about bringing their pets to a shelter and the dangers of being stuck on the roads.

Tornado threats across Florida

Meanwhile, the storm's outer bands were already bringing rain, wind and the potential for tornadoes across the state.

Dozens of Tornado Warnings are in effect, and those numbers are expected to rise dramatically throughout the day.

A live camera from the Florida Department of Transportation spotted a confirmed tornado on the ground Wednesday morning in South Florida as Hurricane Milton barreled toward the state.

The National Hurricane Center said in its 11 a.m. ET update that tornadic supercells from Milton were beginning to sweep across the Southern Florida peninsula. 

More than 12 million people in the state faced threat of tornadoes along with hail and wind, the National Weather Service said. 

RELATED: Video: Florida traffic camera captured tornado as Hurricane Milton impacts state

Disney closed for Milton

Disney Parks, Universal Studios and SeaWorld were among the theme parks announcing they will close for Milton.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) suspended operations on Tuesday morning, while Orlando International Airport (MCO), Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) in Sanford, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers and Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) in Melbourne closed or will close to commercial flights on Wednesday.

Several cruise ships were also changing course.

RELATED: Hurricane Milton: These cruise lines are redirecting ships

Wind, storm surge damage forecast in Georgia

Tropical storm warnings were issued Wednesday as far north as Savannah, roughly 200 miles from the projected path of the hurricane’s center.

Storm surge of 2 to 4 feet was forecast for Georgia communities including St. Simons Island, home to nearly 16,000 people, and Tybee Island, which has population of 3,100. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph could break off large tree limbs, topple shallow-rooted trees and cause scattered power outages, according to the National Weather Service.

Gas stations running out of fuel

Those leaving evacuation areas were facing gas shortages Tuesday and Wednesday.

In a Wednesday morning briefing, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said highway patrol cars with sirens were escorting gasoline tanker trucks to get them through traffic to refill the supply.

"And they are continuing with the fuel escorts as we speak," he said.

READ MORE: Hurricane Milton causing gas shortages in Florida as residents evacuate storm

Window for evacuation is over in some areas

Thousands of fleeing cars clogged Florida's highways, and time for evacuations was running out Wednesday.

"The roads and the interstates, they are flowing," DeSantis said Wednesday morning in a press conference, but added that traffic conditions could deteriorate as the day goes on.

In Lee County, which includes Fort Myers about 95 miles southeast of Tampa, Public Safety Director Ben Abes said Wednesday that the county’s law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services will not respond to calls beginning later Wednesday when the weather worsens.

"It is not safe to be out and it is not safe to return to your home if you have evacuated," Abes said. "The time to shelter in place is now."

Abes said the county’s 13 shelters are housing more than 6,700 people.

The Florida Highway Patrol said in an email Wednesday that the Sunshine Skyway Bridge spanning the mouth of Tampa Bay is now closed to traffic.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor noted that up to 15 feet of storm surge forecast for her city would be deep enough to swallow an entire house.

"So if you’re in it, basically that’s the coffin that you’re in," Castor said.

RELATED: Chilling warnings for Tampa Bay area residents ahead of Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton’s current path

Milton was centered about 60 miles southwest of Sarasota as of 5 p.m. ET Wednesday with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, the hurricane center reported. 

It was moving northeast at 17 mph and was expected to continue moving in that direction with an increase in its forward speed through Wednesday night, with landfall expected late Wednesday or early Thursday morning. 

It was expected to turn toward the east-northeast and east on Thursday and Friday.

Hurricane Milton watches and warnings

Milton storm surge forecast 

Hurricane Milton wind forecast