Shelters were open in all 67 Florida counties, and authorities urged residents to evacuate. Milton is expected to make landfall Wednesday night.

Hurricane Milton is weakening slightly but remains a ferocious storm that could land a once-in-a-century direct hit on Tampa and St. Petersburg, engulfing the populous region with towering storm surges and turning debris from Helene’s devastation 12

Florida is working double-time to help Gulf Coast counties clean up all the debris left over from Hurricane Helene. Roads are still lined with appliances, cabinets, furniture and ripped-out drywall, as well as the occasional stray boat.