Hurricane Milton is growing stronger as it blows toward Florida’s Tampa Bay region

MIAMI (AP) — The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Milton is intensifying and will likely be a major hurricane before it slams into the storm-ravaged Florida coast, most likely on Wednesday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 51 counties, many of which are still recovering from Hurricane Helene. The state’s emergency management director says Florida is preparing for the largest evacuation in years, since Hurricane Irma in 2017. They’ve prepared emergency fuel and EV charging stations and shelters along the routes. President Joe Biden says his administration “will keep working hand-in-hand with local and state leaders regardless of political party and no matter how long it takes.”