Tampa, Florida, is bracing for Hurricane Milton’s ravenous impact. While evacuations are underway, many residents in the area and other surrounding communities are choosing to stay put and ride out the storm. However, the hurricane’s fluctuation from a Category 5 to a 4 has sparked concern across the state. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor delivered a dire warning during a recent CNN interview.

“Helene was a wake-up call,” Castor said, referring to the recent destruction from Hurricane Helene. “This is literally catastrophic, and I can say without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die.”

The mayor added that her “number one message” for residents was that they “need to prepare” if they haven’t already.

“Do whatever you need to do and then get out of the evacuation zones, which now are evacuation zones A and B, and as we all have heard so many times now,” she said. “You hide from the wind and run from the water, and we are talking about right now, the possibility of a direct hit with 10- to 12-foot tidal surge. Put that in perspective, Hurricane Helene, which just left the Tampa Bay area a week ago, there was 6-foot storm surge and that was literally devastating to so many in our coastal areas.”

Watch the live footage from Tampa traffic cameras and get updates on the storm, below.

Where Will Hurricane Milton Hit First?

Milton will hit the Gulf Coast of Florida and impact the Tampa Bay Area.

What Time Will Hurricane Milton Make Landfall?

The storm was projected to make landfall at about 2:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, October 10. However, others estimate that Milton could hit on Wednesday, October 9, in the evening.

Updates on Tampa Bay Amid Hurricane Milton

Over the past several days, Tampa Bay residents have stocked up on groceries and gas for their cars. As a result, stores and gas stations have been left empty for customers. Others who have tried to evacuate the area are struggling to leave due to bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Milton has fluctuated from a Category 4 to a 5 and back down to a 4 as it continues to barrel toward Florida.