More Santa Ana winds are forecast to hit parts of Los Angeles County and wide swaths of Ventura County, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a &#8220;particularly dangerous situation&#8221; red flag warning lasting from 4 a.m. on Tuesday until noon on Wednesday.
The winds could range between 45 and 75 mph, threatening to ground important firefighting aircraft as the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst Fires continue to burn. The National Weather Service Los Angeles has only issued the &#8220;particularly dangerous situation&#8221; red flag warning a few times in the past — twice in 2020 and not again until 2024, and now, 2025, The Los Angeles Times <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-13/particularly-dangerous-situation-red-flag-fire-weather-warning-issued-for-l-a-ventura-counties" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
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Heads up! Strong, locally damaging, NE/E winds will affect West LA Co. &amp; much of Ventura Co thru Wednesday. Critical fire weather is expected, so PLEASE have multiple ways of getting notifications in case of new fires &amp; prepare ahead of time. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/venturacounty?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#venturacounty</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cawx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cawx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Socal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Socal</a> <a href="https://t.co/BuvqcwnktS">pic.twitter.com/BuvqcwnktS</a>
&mdash; NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1878566192996372732?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld said the warning &#8220;is one of the loudest ways that we can shout,&#8221; adding, &#8220;This is a continued extreme fire weather and wind scenario.&#8221; The high wind gusts combined with humidity as low as 5% on Tuesday makes for an especially dangerous situation, and the weather service told Los Angeles County and Ventura County residents to avoid doing &#8220;anything that could spark a fire.&#8221; The Santa Ana winds could also further stoke the fires that have already ripped through more than 40,000 acres and killed at least 24 people in Southern California.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has already prepared for the intense winds. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said on Sunday, “I want to reassure you that your LAFD, all of our regional partners, every single agency that has come from up and down this state and outside of the state — we are ready.”
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The L.A. Times reported that preparations for the high winds include reinforcing fire control lines, clearing brush away from buildings that survived the fires, and setting up staging areas where new fires could break out. L.A. County Fire Battalion Chief Christian Litz added, &#8220;If [aircraft] get grounded, we have actually built ourselves a little bit of barrier in time for crews to get in there.&#8221;
Cal Fire spokesman Gerry Magana <a href="https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-california-01-13-25-hnk#cm5v9t5c400053b6nt9dhuay4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>, &#8220;Usually, the limiting factor is gusts over 30 miles an hour, but the sustained winds – anything over 40 (mph) – is pretty much going to ground most aircraft.&#8221;
In a social media <a href="https://x.com/GavinNewsom/status/1878648757161701581" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> on Sunday night, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote, &#8220;Emergency responders are ready tonight. Pre-positioned firefighters and engines are spread around Southern California. Stay safe. Be ready to evacuate if you get the order.&#8221;
According to the L.A. County Medical Examiner, 16 people died in the Eaton Fire and eight in the Palisades Fire. More than a dozen people are still missing. The latest data from <a href="https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cal Fire</a> shows that the Palisades Fire is at 14% containment, the Eaton Fire is at 33% containment, and the Hurst Fire is at 95% containment.

Palisades fire

‘Extreme Fire Weather’: Authorities Warn Of More High Winds As L.A.-Area Fires Rage Into Week 2

'Extreme Fire Weather': Authorities Warn Of More High Winds As L.A.-Area Fires Rage Into Week 2

California

Fires

Los Angeles

Los Angeles County

Natural Disaster

U.S.

Weather

Thousands of residents have been told to evacuate as a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/wildfires" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wildfire</a> fueled by a powerful windstorm raged in a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/los-angeles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles</a>-area neighborhood in Southern <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/california" target="_blank" rel="noopener">California</a> on Monday.
KTLA <a href="https://x.com/KTLA/status/1876736179162247669" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that all of Pacific Palisades was under an evacuation order due to the &#8220;wind-driven&#8221; blaze that had burned through hundreds of acres by the afternoon.
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: All of Pacific Palisades is currently under an evacuation order due to the fast-moving, wind-driven <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PalisadesFire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PalisadesFire</a> which has burned more than 200 acres. Evacuees are being urged to travel south toward Pacific Coast Highway. The latest: <a href="https://t.co/SLLsFbvAaj">https://t.co/SLLsFbvAaj</a> <a href="https://t.co/EQaEKw0q29">pic.twitter.com/EQaEKw0q29</a>
&mdash; KTLA (@KTLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/KTLA/status/1876736179162247669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Evacuees were urged to travel south toward the Pacific Coast Highway using Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard, the local television station said in a <a href="https://ktla.com/news/local-news/20-acre-wildfire-erupts-in-pacific-palisades-amid-severe-winds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news article</a>.
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A friend who lives in Pacific Palisades sent me these horrific videos of the fire. 
He just evacuated and said traffic was so bad people abandoned their cars. <a href="https://t.co/mbOjz8QAf9">pic.twitter.com/mbOjz8QAf9</a>
&mdash; Jon Michael Raasch (@JMRaasch) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMRaasch/status/1876758050511454272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Listen to local authorities, if told to leave, Don&#8217;t Wait, Evacuate,&#8221; the California Governor&#8217;s Office of Emergency Services <a href="https://x.com/Cal_OES/status/1876759188853928371" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> in a post to X on Tuesday.
In a post to X, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection <a href="https://x.com/CAL_FIRE/status/1876719619072991581" target="_blank" rel="noopener">urged</a> people to be prepared to move and report suspicious activity to help prevent arson.
Los Angeles Magazine <a href="https://x.com/LAmag/status/1876723860852392248" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> more than 100 firefighters and been deployed to fight the blaze, but as shown in videos posted to social media, homes were being <a href="https://x.com/MattSeedorff/status/1876734882811953321" target="_blank" rel="noopener">engulfed</a> in flames.
Actor James Woods shared clips from his home in the area. In one video, he spoke about evacuating as planes dropped water. &#8220;S***!&#8221; he said, as flames could be seen erupting.
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Leaving <a href="https://t.co/yJDQ8xIhbI">pic.twitter.com/yJDQ8xIhbI</a>
&mdash; James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealJamesWoods/status/1876717022375215161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Forecasters <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/national-weather-service-warns-of-life-threatening-windstorm-in-southern-california" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warned</a> on Monday that a &#8220;life-threatening&#8221; and destructive&#8221; windstorm could stir up <a href="https://x.com/ReadyLACounty/status/1876346129115468226" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fast-moving wildfires</a> due to dry conditions in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.
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&#8220;Extremely Critical fire-weather conditions&#8221; are expected through Wednesday, the <a href="https://x.com/NWSSPC/status/1876751674410160586" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Weather Service</a> (NWS) said, and the outlook predicted Santa Ana winds would intensify.
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Extremely Critical fire-weather conditions are expected across parts of Southern California, Tomorrow Jan 8th. Santa Ana winds are ongoing and expected to intensify through Thursday. For specific information see your local NWS office or <a href="https://t.co/QMmU4tBZDt">https://t.co/QMmU4tBZDt</a> for more info. <a href="https://t.co/O2960J3EXH">pic.twitter.com/O2960J3EXH</a>
&mdash; NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSSPC/status/1876751674410160586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Santa Ana winds are &#8220;[h]igh-speed and dangerous winds that periodically kick up and blow from the mountains to the coast in Southern California,&#8221; according to <a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/what-are-santa-ana-winds-2/343027#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AccuWeather</a>.
The Los Angeles office for NWS previously <a href="https://x.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1876354438966956073" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> gusts of 50 to 80 miles per hour (mph) were <a href="https://x.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1876392297350492294" target="_blank" rel="noopener">possible</a>, and isolated gusts of 80 to 100 mph across the mountains and foothills.
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/NOAA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NOAA</a>&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GOES18?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GOES18</a>🛰️ is closely tracking the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PalisadesFire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PalisadesFire</a> as it explosively grows northwest of Los Angeles this afternoon. A particularly dangerous situation <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedFlagWarning?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedFlagWarning</a> is in effect for the region. Latest: <a href="https://t.co/mooP0SuiV5">https://t.co/mooP0SuiV5</a> <a href="https://t.co/k4G2Iw5Z0t">pic.twitter.com/k4G2Iw5Z0t</a>
&mdash; NOAA Satellites &#8211; Public Affairs (@NOAASatellitePA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NOAASatellitePA/status/1876752009996435937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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President Joe Biden had been scheduled to visit nearby Coachella Valley to announce the creation of two national monuments in California, but had to change plans.
&#8220;Due to weather issues, the President will not travel to Thermal, CA. The previously scheduled remarks will be delivered in Los Angeles, CA,&#8221; the White House <a href="https://x.com/dannyctkemp/status/1876716658082898057" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly said</a>.

Powerful Winds Fuel Multiple Fires Across Los Angeles Area

Los Angeles-Area Neighborhood Goes Up In Flames As ‘Wind-Driven’ Blaze Rages

James Woods

Severe Weather

Wildfires

A dangerous windstorm is expected to blow through Ventura and Los Angeles Counties in Southern <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/los-angeles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">California</a> this week, according to forecasters.
&#8220;HEADS UP!!!&#8221; the National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles said in all capital letters with a post to X on Monday <a href="https://x.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1876343016526598292" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warning</a> of the potential tempest.
&#8220;A LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE, Widespread Windstorm is expected [Tuesday] afternoon-[Wednesday] morning across much of Ventura/LA Co,&#8221; it added.
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Here are potential impacts for the upcoming strong winds Tuesday through Wednesday. Here&#39;s what you can do to prepare to help minimize impacts! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SoCal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SoCal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LAwind?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LAwind</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LosAngeles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LosAngeles</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VenturaCounty?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VenturaCounty</a> <a href="https://t.co/CIHdZo3AC5">pic.twitter.com/CIHdZo3AC5</a>
&mdash; NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1876408016930803836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Areas that are not &#8220;typically windy will be impacted,&#8221; NWS Los Angeles said, advising people to &#8220;stay indoors, away from windows&#8221; and to anticipate power outages.
Locations of &#8220;greatest concern&#8221; in which people were urged to take &#8220;immediate action&#8221; included Simi Valley, San Fernando, Burbank, Pasadena, Santa Monica.
One account on X asked what the difference is between a typical Santa Ana winds event and the extreme weather that was in the forecast.
Santa Ana winds are &#8220;[h]igh-speed and dangerous winds that periodically kick up and blow from the mountains to the coast in Southern California,&#8221; per <a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/what-are-santa-ana-winds-2/343027#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AccuWeather</a>.
&#8220;The wind direction of this event is more from the N-NE rather than typical NE-E Santa Ana&#8217;s,&#8221; NWS Los Angeles said in <a href="https://x.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1876356700325978155" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reply</a> to the question.
&#8220;This means the strongest wind corridors shift more east &amp; focus over more of LA Co. than is typical (including San Gabriel foothills) rather than the Ventura Coast,&#8221; it added.
Possible impacts include downed trees, <a href="https://x.com/ReadyLACounty/status/1876346129115468226" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fast-moving wildfires</a> due to dry conditions, &#8220;knocked over&#8221; big rigs and motorhomes, airport delays, and dangerous sea conditions.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) <a href="https://x.com/LADOTofficial/status/1876395879730393095" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a weather advisory for what it said was an expected &#8220;severe wind storm&#8221; to impact parts of Los Angeles.
&#8220;Traveling may be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Remain in lower levels of your home and away from windows. Use caution if you must drive,&#8221; it said.
&#8220;Report downed trees to 311 and downed power lines to 911,&#8221; LADOT added. &#8220;Sign up for emergency alerts at NotifyLA.org.&#8221;
Los Angeles <a href="https://lafd.org/news/red-flag-parking-restrictions-effect-800am-7-january-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declared</a> a &#8220;Red Flag Alert&#8221; with parking restrictions lasting at least 24 hours, starting at 8 a.m. local time on Tuesday, the city&#8217;s fire department said.
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Here&#39;s a little more details on the upcoming wind event. The strongest wind areas of LA and Ventura Counties will see widespread N-NE wind gusts of 50-80 mph, with isolated gusts up to 80-100 mph in the mountains and foothills. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SoCal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SoCal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LAwind?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LAwind</a> <a href="https://t.co/swzlRX2G99">pic.twitter.com/swzlRX2G99</a>
&mdash; NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1876392297350492294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
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In other posts, NWS Los Angeles <a href="https://x.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1876354438966956073" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> gusts of 50 to 80 miles per hour (mph) were <a href="https://x.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1876392297350492294" target="_blank" rel="noopener">possible</a>, and isolated gusts of 80 to 100 mph across the mountains and foothills.
The coming windstorm may be the &#8220;strongest event&#8221; since one in 2011 in which Pasadena was &#8220;specifically hit hard,&#8221; NWS Los Angeles <a href="https://x.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1876396608814014654" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>, and likely more widespread.

LA Area Hit With Powerful Santa Ana Winds in 2011

National Weather Service Warns Of ‘Life-Threatening’ Windstorm In Southern California

National Weather Service

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/congress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Congress</a> must not allow a snow storm to delay the certification of President-elect <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a>&#8216;s Electoral College victory, Speaker <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/mike-johnson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike Johnson</a> (R-LA) said on Sunday.
&#8220;Well, I hope we have full attendance. We&#8217;ve got a big snow storm coming to D.C. and we encourage all of our colleagues, &#8216;Do not leave town. Stay here.&#8217; Because, as you know, the Electoral Count Act requires this on January 6 at 1 p.m. So, whether we&#8217;re in a blizzard or not we&#8217;re going to be in that chamber making sure this is done,&#8221; Johnson told Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo during a &#8220;Sunday Morning Futures&#8221; interview.
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Speaker Johnson on certifying the 2024 election:
&quot;Whether we&#39;re in a blizzard or not we&#39;re going to be in that chamber making sure this is done.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Krhg1DU2j1">pic.twitter.com/Krhg1DU2j1</a>
&mdash; Bobby LaValley (@Bobby_LaVallley) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bobby_LaVallley/status/1875925375605436555?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Forecasters have issued a <a href="https://x.com/NWS_BaltWash/status/1875663759542550892" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Winter Storm Warning</a> for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and expect up to up to <a href="https://x.com/capitalweather/status/1875893877728780421" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 or more inches</a> of snow through Monday, when the House and Senate are slated to meet for a joint session of Congress to affirm the 2024 results. Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman <a href="https://x.com/JakeSherman/status/1875684212671750434" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted on X</a> that the House needs a quorum of 218 — a simple majority of all the sitting House lawmakers — to conduct business and most members stayed in town for a weekend session to discuss plans for budget reconciliation at Fort McNair.
&#8220;Listen, President Trump had a mandate — a landslide, you know — so many electoral votes and we get to count them all. We cannot delay that certification,&#8221; Johnson added. &#8220;He deserves that; 77 million Americans voted for President Trump and this agenda — almost 75 million for the House. That&#8217;s our highest number ever. So, we call it a mandate. I believe it is. And we&#8217;ve got to get to work beginning immediately on Monday.&#8221;
Other House Republicans posted to social media about showing up on Monday.
&#8220;Unless [Elon Musk] has figured out how to control the weather it looks bad. If you are a Republican member of Congress I’d get to Washington. We have a President [Trump] to certify,&#8221; <a href="https://x.com/timburchett/status/1875900840990720355" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quipped</a> Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN).
&#8220;Jan 6th at 1:00 pm Congress must certify President Trump’s historic election,&#8221; <a href="https://x.com/RepMTG/status/1875709597576491142" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). &#8220;Washington has a winter storm warning for Jan 5-7th expecting possibly a foot of snow. Many members of congress left town this weekend even though they were told to stay. I’m here and will walk to the Capitol if I have to.&#8221;

U.S. Capitol

With Snow Blast Imminent, Speaker Johnson Says ‘We Cannot Delay’ Certification Of Trump’s Victory

2024 Election

Congress

Donald Trump

Mike Johnson

Snow

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington D.C.

Winter Storm Blair is expected to leave a trail of snow, ice, and frigid temperatures across the middle of the country, with more than a foot of precipitation predicted in areas from Kansas to Washington, D.C.
According to a report from The Weather Channel, the storm has already begun to take shape in the Pacific Ocean, with upper-altitude rotation driving tropical moisture toward the West Coast, and is expected to follow along the Interstate 70 corridor once it fully forms.
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Watch this for everything you need to know about Winter Storm Blair: <a href="https://t.co/v3mAqgNO4R">pic.twitter.com/v3mAqgNO4R</a>
&mdash; The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) <a href="https://twitter.com/weatherchannel/status/1874873375929339957?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Just how much snow and ice the different affected areas could see will depend on the storm&#8217;s eventual track, as experts have said that it could yet shift either to the north or south from the predicted path.
Meteorologist Ryan Maue noted that even outside the areas where snowfall was heaviest, people should be ready to deal with ice and slush due to freezing rain, which could dramatically impact traffic patterns across a much wider area of the country.
&#8220;Snowfall from the upcoming winter storm will be significant, probably 12&#8243;-18&#8243; over a large area, but the freezing rain and sleet just to the south of the colder air will be hugely impactful,&#8221; Maue posted, sharing a series of graphics. &#8220;This will be a mess.&#8221;
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Snowfall from the upcoming winter storm will be significant, probably 12&quot;-18&quot; over a large area, but the freezing rain and sleet just to the south of the colder air will be hugely impactful. 
GFS 12z &#8212; this will be a mess. <a href="https://t.co/atWgAYd8hH">pic.twitter.com/atWgAYd8hH</a>
&mdash; Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanMaue/status/1874880430568296652?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Maue also shared a zoomed-out view of the storm&#8217;s total predicted impact, noting, &#8220;A winter storm traveling from Kansas to Washington D.C. early next week will blanket 12-18&#8243; of snowfall blanketing a huge population of big cities. The snow will stick around for a while and help crater temperatures under calm, clear skies during Arctic Blast. Huge population impact!&#8221;
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A winter storm traveling from Kansas to Washington D.C. early next week will blanket 12-18&quot; of snowfall blanketing a huge population of big cities. 
The snow will stick around for a while and help crater temperatures under calm, clear skies during Arctic Blast.
Huge population… <a href="https://t.co/EJu3GUsOPZ">pic.twitter.com/EJu3GUsOPZ</a>
&mdash; Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanMaue/status/1874604474603544928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Meteorologist Mike Bettes shared another series of graphics, showing the heaviest snow predictions stretching from western Kansas into northern Virginia — just short of the nation&#8217;s capital. Snowfall is predicted as far south as Kentucky and as far north as Chicago and upstate New York.
A second graphic showed a band of damaging ice that was predicted to stretch from Dodge City, Kansas, to eastern Kentucky, with lighter ice accumulation predicted to reach all the way to the coast in Norfolk, Virginia.
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Winter Storm <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blair?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blair</a> is headed for the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic beginning this weekend. Be ready, and if possible, avoid travel during the height of the storm. <a href="https://t.co/6MWCGgaxQh">pic.twitter.com/6MWCGgaxQh</a>
&mdash; Mike Bettes (@mikebettes) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikebettes/status/1874572750838231307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The snowfall is expected to begin over the weekend in the midwest and travel toward the East Coast into the early part of next week.

Winter Weather Ahead Road Sign

Winter Storm Blair Threatens Heavy Snowfall From Kansas To D.C.

Winter storm

Thousands of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/california" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Californians</a> have been ordered to evacuate after a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/wildfires" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wildfire</a> spread throughout the Malibu area late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, at one point threatening Pepperdine University. 
More than 6,000 people were ordered to evacuate as the blaze, referred to as the Franklin Fire, spread out of Malibu Canyon, the Los Angeles Times <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-12-10/franklin-fire-malibu-wildfire-triggers-evacuations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. The city of Malibu said that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was going door-to-door to conduct evacuations and asked residents to comply with instructions from law enforcement and fire officials. 
The fire <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/mandatory-evacuations-issued-parts-southern-california-wildfires-spread/story?id=116627993" target="_blank" rel="noopener">covered</a> about 10 acres at the beginning of the night on Monday but quickly spread to cover an area of at least 1,800 acres by early Tuesday morning, including around Malibu Pier. Firefighters from the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Ventura County have all responded to the blaze, which was fueled by rapid wind gusts. The National Weather Service warned Southern California residents that Santa Ana winds would present the &#8220;highest possible&#8221; fire danger to the area. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 
&nbsp;
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MALIBU: Photos taken between 12 am to 3 a.m. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FranklinFire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FranklinFire</a> has now reached 1,822 Acres per <a href="https://twitter.com/CAL_FIRE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CAL_FIRE</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hikodgsyjj">https://t.co/Hikodgsyjj</a> <a href="https://t.co/DWu2ZDKvPl">pic.twitter.com/DWu2ZDKvPl</a>
— Samantha Bravo (@samanthavbravo) <a href="https://twitter.com/samanthavbravo/status/1866451339833991464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Pepperdine University, which has its main campus in Malibu, sheltered in place and canceled classes and finals due to the fires.  
“The Pepperdine community continues to shelter in place in Payson Library and the Tyler Campus Center,” the school <a href="https://x.com/pepperdine/status/1866433837557006779" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on X early Tuesday morning. “The Franklin fire has grown to 814 acres and flames are visible from the Malibu campus. There are numerous LA County Fire Department engines on campus and their helicopters are using the lakes in Alumni Park to pick up water to drop on the fire from above.”
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One <a href="https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/california-wildfire-malibu-los-angeles-franklin-fire">video</a> shared with Fox Weather shows the blaze visible from inside the campus library. A few hours later, the school said the fire had effectively passed campus. 
&nbsp;
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Pepperdine University students watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FranklinFire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FranklinFire</a> burn <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Malibu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Malibu</a> from inside the campus&#8217; buildings <a href="https://t.co/p8n9vJHVCA">https://t.co/p8n9vJHVCA</a> <a href="https://t.co/nzFTiEFYdT">pic.twitter.com/nzFTiEFYdT</a>
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXLA/status/1866451762829463977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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“The University understands the worst of the fire has pushed past Pepperdine. However, there are smaller spot fires on campus that are not threatening life or structures, and fire resources remain on campus to address these spot fires as they occur,” the school said. “Additionally, power remains out for much of Malibu and therefore, to ensure the safety of our community, we will maintain the shelter-in-place protocol until at least daylight. The EOC will continue to update the community.” 
&nbsp;
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The University understands the worst of the fire has pushed past Pepperdine. However, there are smaller spot fires on campus that are not threatening life or structures, and fire resources remain on campus to address these spot fires as they occur. Additionally, power remains out…
— Pepperdine University (@pepperdine) <a href="https://twitter.com/pepperdine/status/1866444912725766377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The city of Malibu has been <a href="https://www.malibucity.org/AlertCenter.aspx">providing</a> periodic updates on the fire throughout the night and has listed locations where both residents and their pets can shelter.

Franklin Fire Spreads Quickly 5 Miles North Of Downtown Malibu

Thousands Forced To Evacuate As Wildfire Rips Through Malibu

With AAA <a href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2024/11/nearly-80-million-americans-expected-to-travel-over-thanksgiving/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">projecting</a> nearly 80 million people traveling 50 or more miles in the week ahead for the 2024 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/thanksgiving" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thanksgiving</a> holiday, those making the trek might want to keep their eye on the forecast as the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/severe-weather">weather</a> in some parts of the United States could make the trip difficult.
On Monday, the National Weather Service (NWS) shared on X a broad outline for the next couple of days, along with maps showing the high temperature forecast and probability of precipitation on Thanksgiving Day.
&#8220;A frontal system will drive weather in the eastern quarter of the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day, bringing a good shot of rain,&#8221; the post said. &#8220;Farther west in the northern plains, cold temperatures will be the rule of the day, with readings as much as 25°F below normal for this time of the year.&#8221;
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A frontal system will drive weather in the eastern quarter of the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day, bringing a good shot of rain. Farther west in the northern plains, cold temperatures will be the rule of the day, with readings as much as 25°F below normal for this time of the year. How… <a href="https://t.co/0r3MvTZnca">pic.twitter.com/0r3MvTZnca</a>
&mdash; National Weather Service (@NWS) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWS/status/1861114016267169983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;
Snow is not out of the question, however.
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AccuWeather forecasters <a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/thanksgiving-storm-could-deliver-rain-snow-to-part-of-the-east/1716263" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the eastern part of the U.S. might get accumulating snow to the Ohio Valley and Northeast, while Meteorologist Ryan Maue <a href="https://x.com/RyanMaue/status/1861066203957010702" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> the Thanksgiving Day storm system &#8220;should drop 3-6 [inches] of snowfall across roads from Ohio to Pennsylvania into New York and England.&#8221;
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Thanksgiving Day storm system should drop 3-6&quot; of snowfall across roads from Ohio to Pennsylvania into New York and England. ❄️ <a href="https://t.co/YDo1BW2rJw">pic.twitter.com/YDo1BW2rJw</a>
&mdash; Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanMaue/status/1861066203957010702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Other places, including <a href="https://x.com/NWSChicago/status/1860790224265363653" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chicago</a>, could also get some fresh powder.
NWS <a href="https://x.com/NWS/status/1861081007035675055?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1861081007035675055%7Ctwgr%5Ea96a797f0fd42f0aedbcfbf914ec079508cc05e9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsweek.com%2Fwinter-storm-weather-warning-travel-chaos-thanksgiving-11-25-24-1991068">said</a> that heavy snow is expected to fall early this week in the higher-elevation areas of the western United States and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. And in Colorado, its Boulder office noted that a &#8220;major winter storm&#8221; bringing up 1-2 feet of snow would impact the mountains through Wednesday.
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A major winter storm will impact the mountains beginning late tonight. Snow will be heavy through Tue night, lighter Wed.
1-2 ft totals are expected for the highest elevations. Expect significant travel disruptions and road closures. Here&#39;s a forecast for major roadways 👇 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COwx</a> <a href="https://t.co/LciRjAcp3l">pic.twitter.com/LciRjAcp3l</a>
&mdash; NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSBoulder/status/1861029690880000511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The Pacific Northwest is still reeling after a so-called <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bomb-cyclone-blasts-pacific-northwest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;bomb cyclone&#8221;</a> and its &#8220;atmospheric river&#8221; hammered parts of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. A handful of people were killed, and power was knocked out for hundreds of thousands of customers.
California has more inclement weather ahead. The NWS office in Sacramento <a href="https://x.com/NWSSacramento/status/1861107419499401367" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> a Winter Storm Warning was in effect for higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada mountains through Wednesday morning.
Expect chilly weather across much of the country in the post-Thanksgiving travel period.
Last week, the NWS <a href="https://x.com/NWSCPC/status/1859716181760016681" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> a broad area of low pressure was forecast to &#8220;dominate&#8221; the lower 48 states, bringing increased risk for cold and &#8220;unsettled weather,&#8221; including &#8220;hazardous cold&#8221; in the Northern Plains, strong winds across much of the East, and heavy snow in parts of the Great Lakes and Interior Northwest.
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Increased risk for cold and unsettled weather for the post-Thanksgiving travel period <a href="https://t.co/SVsQsPxEEx">https://t.co/SVsQsPxEEx</a> <a href="https://t.co/IXHwO0nKNM">pic.twitter.com/IXHwO0nKNM</a>
&mdash; NWS Climate Prediction Center (@NWSCPC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSCPC/status/1859716181760016681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The NWS advised Thanksgiving travelers to &#8220;stay updated on this evolving situation&#8221; by checking the latest forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center, Weather Prediction Center, and local NWS forecast offices.
Beyond the weather, holiday travelers heading to and from North Carolina might need to contend with disarray caused by Charlotte Douglas International Airport service workers <a href="https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article296108969.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beginning a strike</a> over wages on Monday.

Southwest Airlines Plane At San Diego International Airport

Where Storms Could Disrupt Travel For The 2024 Thanksgiving Holiday

Air Travel

Thanksgiving

Hurricane Rafael was upgraded to &#8220;major&#8221; <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hurricane" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hurricane</a> status as it approached the western coast of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/cuba" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cuba</a> in the Caribbean on Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Data showed the storm with 115 miles per hour sustained maximum winds, which put it in the Category 3 range on the <a href="https://www.weather.gov/mfl/saffirsimpson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale</a>. Such a storm is considered a &#8220;major&#8221; hurricane with the potential to cause &#8220;devastating damage.&#8221;
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2pm EST update on Category 3 Hurricane <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafael?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafael</a> as it closes in on western <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cuba?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cuba</a> 
See <a href="https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ">https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ</a> for more information <a href="https://t.co/eLWOAGz4L6">pic.twitter.com/eLWOAGz4L6</a>
&mdash; National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1854237480553533759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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In the immediate future, Rafael was expected to bring &#8220;life-threatening storm surge, damaging hurricane-force winds, and flash flooding to portions of western Cuba,&#8221; NHC <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT3+shtml/061755.shtml?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a 1 p.m. ET bulletin. The agency said some strengthening was likely to happen before landfall over western Cuba in the afternoon.
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/?_gl=1*jtghwp*_gcl_au*ODQ1NjYzNTg2LjE3Mjg5MDk3OTE.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczMDEyMDgwOS40OS4xLjE3MzAxMjA4MzkuMzAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+</a>
Just a couple of weeks ago, Cuba got <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8elzx8dg7zo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hit by Hurricane Oscar</a> as the island nation was grappling with a massive power outage.
NHC said Rafael is expected to weaken over Cuba before emerging into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane. Weather impacts in the forecast for the southeastern United States include tropical storm conditions in parts of the lower and middle <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/florida" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florida</a> Keys into Wednesday evening.
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Here are the 10 AM EST Wednesday Key Messages for Hurricane <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafael?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafael</a>. Life-threatening storm surge, damaging hurricane-force winds, and flash flooding expected in portions of western Cuba. Follow the latest at <a href="https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ">https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/dg9rxQIgfD">pic.twitter.com/dg9rxQIgfD</a>
&mdash; National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1854179556942631043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Overall, rainfall in the Keys — an island chain extending southwest from the southern tip of the Florida Peninsula — was expected to total between one to three inches. NHC also warned of storm surge in the Dry Tortugas and lower Florida Keys, as well as the potential for tornadoes in the Keys and southwestern Florida mainland.
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/NOAA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NOAA</a>&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GOESEast?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GOESEast</a> satellite is continuing to monitor Hurricane <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafael?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafael</a> this morning, which is strengthening in the Caribbean Sea.
Latest advisories and updates: <a href="https://t.co/ScLdyBaJZb">https://t.co/ScLdyBaJZb</a> <a href="https://t.co/VTLcGGfVDX">pic.twitter.com/VTLcGGfVDX</a>
&mdash; NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) <a href="https://twitter.com/NOAASatellites/status/1854146793082442171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Hurricane Rafael continues to intensify as it approaches western Cuba. Squalls will continue to pivot through the #FloridaKeys through tonight,&#8221; the National Weather Service <a href="https://x.com/NWSKeyWest/status/1854178465907667210" target="_blank" rel="noopener">emphasized</a> in a post to X. &#8220;The best chance for tropical storm force winds will be this evening and overnight, especially in the Lower &amp; Middle Keys.&#8221;
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Hurricane Rafael continues to intensify as it approaches western Cuba. Squalls will continue to pivot through the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FloridaKeys?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FloridaKeys</a> through tonight. The best chance for tropical storm force winds will be this evening and overnight, especially in the Lower &amp; Middle Keys. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FLwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeyWest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KeyWest</a> <a href="https://t.co/dl3Epo8j1y">pic.twitter.com/dl3Epo8j1y</a>
&mdash; NWS Key West (@NWSKeyWest) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSKeyWest/status/1854178465907667210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The hurricane was expected to head farther west into the Gulf during the week and into the weekend, but NHC <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?start#contents" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cautioned</a> on Wednesday that it was &#8220;too soon to determine what, if any, impacts Rafael could bring to portions of the western Gulf Coast. Residents in this area should regularly monitor updates to the forecast.&#8221;
A couple of major hurricanes slammed into the southeastern United States this year.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/remnants-of-hurricane-helene-continue-to-wreak-havoc-on-southeastern-u-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricane Helene</a> wreaked havoc in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia in late September. And <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hurricane-milton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricane Milton</a> barreled through central Florida in October. Between the storms this hurricane season, the U.S. death toll is in the hundreds and the cost of the damage is estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars.

Hurricane Rafael approaches Cuba

Rafael Becomes Major Hurricane In The Caribbean

Cuba

Florida

Hurricane

World

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/first-responders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First responders</a> have been hard at work helping people and animals with <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hurricane-milton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricane Milton</a> <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/major-hurricane-milton-makes-landfall-over-florida" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slamming</a> into <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/florida" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florida</a> as a &#8220;major&#8221; Category 3 hurricane late on Wednesday.
Milton swept through the central part of the state, unleashing heavy rain, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hurricane-milton-bears-down-on-florida-unleashes-tornadoes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tornadoes</a>, and storm surge. At least 10 deaths have been <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/milton-forecast-hurricane-tracker/?id=114553995" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> &#8212; and millions of customers lost power.
All the while, rescue efforts have been underway. Here are just a few, now that the hurricane has passed:
One striking <a href="https://x.com/USCGSoutheast/status/1844466002584842667" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> posted to social media showed what the U.S. Coast Guard said was a helicopter crew saving a man holding onto a cooler about 30 miles off Longboat Key.
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Breaking?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Breaking</a> An <a href="https://twitter.com/USCG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USCG</a> Air Station Miami 65 helicopter crew rescued a man clinging to a cooler approximately 30 mi. off Longboat Key. 
The man was taken to Tampa General Hospital for medical care. 
Sector St. Pete lost communications w/ the man at approx. 6:45 p.m., Wed. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAR</a> <a href="https://t.co/64wSHuRAeH">pic.twitter.com/64wSHuRAeH</a>
&mdash; USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) <a href="https://twitter.com/USCGSoutheast/status/1844466002584842667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Coast Guard District 7, which shared the video, said the man was taken to Tampa General Hospital for medical care.
In a <a href="https://x.com/HCSOSheriff/status/1844401938953084999" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> posted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff&#8217;s Office on Thursday, a boat crew can be seen rescuing a 14-year-old boy clutching onto a fence in floodwaters.
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Sheriff Chad Chronister and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/teamHCSO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#teamHCSO</a>&#39;s Marine Unit rescued a 14-year-old boy who was submerged in floodwaters and floating on debris following Hurricane Milton. <a href="https://t.co/mOInO7ZM0j">pic.twitter.com/mOInO7ZM0j</a>
&mdash; HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) <a href="https://twitter.com/HCSOSheriff/status/1844401938953084999?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister <a href="https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/14-year-old-found-floating-on-fence-in-tampa-floodwaters-after-hurricane-milton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told WFLA</a> the boy stayed at a friend&#8217;s house after evacuating from the hurricane, and got stuck walking back home when it passed.
&#8220;It was literally out of a castaway movie, him laying on top of a fence, waving us,&#8221; Chronister said. &#8220;Out of breath, gasping for air as we pulled him up.&#8221;
Another <a href="https://x.com/HCSOSheriff/status/1844373543523410054" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> from the Hillsborough County Sheriff&#8217;s Office showed the rescue of 135 residents from the Great American Assisted Living facility in Tampa.
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/teamHCSO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#teamHCSO</a> rescued over 135 residents from the Great American Assisted Living facility in Tampa. We&#39;re thankful to be able to get all of these people to safety. <a href="https://t.co/LGq2aOWh9q">pic.twitter.com/LGq2aOWh9q</a>
&mdash; HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) <a href="https://twitter.com/HCSOSheriff/status/1844373543523410054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The Florida Highway Patrol shared a <a href="https://x.com/FHPTampa/status/1844036069219574083" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> on Wednesday of troopers saving a dog tied to a pole with water up to its waist along I-75.
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726313279401000&amp;usg=AOvVaw115_qPFFEePDP86-Fvo-Vd">Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here!</a>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please… <a href="https://t.co/8cZJOfkJL2">pic.twitter.com/8cZJOfkJL2</a>
&mdash; FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) <a href="https://twitter.com/FHPTampa/status/1844036069219574083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Responding to that post, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis <a href="https://x.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1844058578438717589" target="_blank" rel="noopener">thanked</a> the Florida Highway Patrol and delivered a warning to anyone who brings harm to pets.
&#8220;It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm. FL will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable,&#8221; DeSantis said.
With a follow-up post, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shared an update along with a photo appearing to show the dog in good spirits.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Update: The dog rescued by <a href="https://twitter.com/FHPTampa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FHPTampa</a> is safe and receiving care. Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health. <a href="https://t.co/cut1jv7cBe">pic.twitter.com/cut1jv7cBe</a>
&mdash; FLHSMV (@FLHSMV) <a href="https://twitter.com/FLHSMV/status/1844085214131155027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;The dog rescued by @FHPTampa is safe and receiving care. Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health,&#8221; it said.

Officials perform water rescues in Clearwater after Hurricane Milton

SEE IT: Scenes From Breathtaking Rescues After Hurricane Milton Hits Florida

First Responders

Hurricane Milton

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hurricane-milton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricane Milton</a> made landfall over the central west coast of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/florida" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florida</a> on Wednesday evening, bringing with it powerful winds, torrential rain, and storm surge to a state that endured another strong hurricane less than two weeks ago.
The National Hurricane Center <a href="https://x.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1844174788178202880" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that doppler radar data indicated the storm&#8217;s eye made landfall as a <a href="https://www.weather.gov/mfl/saffirsimpson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Category 3</a> hurricane near Siesta Key in Sarasota County — located between Tampa Bay and Fort Myers — at 8:30 p.m. ET.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
830pm EDT Oct 9th: Doppler radar data indicates that the eye of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hurricane?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hurricane</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Milton?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Milton</a> has made landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County on the west coast of Florida.
Max sustained winds at landfall are estimated at 120 mph.
Landfall TCU: <a href="https://t.co/YUc7mT6LuJ">https://t.co/YUc7mT6LuJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/fEODy4AvHJ">pic.twitter.com/fEODy4AvHJ</a>
&mdash; National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1844174788178202880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hurricane">hurricane</a>&#8216;s outer bands already wreaked havoc across Florida earlier in the day with <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hurricane-milton-bears-down-on-florida-unleashes-tornadoes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tornadoes</a>, flooding, and <a href="https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/10/09/thousands-power-outages-reported-across-suncoast-hurricane-milton-prepares-make-landfall/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">power outages</a>. Residents in Florida and nearby states can expect the effects of the storm to last overnight and into Thursday.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Violent tornado sent to me by my friend Jason Dolliver shot in Fort pierce near the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds. Video shot by Kayla Pollack. An absolutely horrible day for tornadoes. <a href="https://t.co/COp8lZfJw6">pic.twitter.com/COp8lZfJw6</a>
&mdash; Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimCantore/status/1844157131509071895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/Hurricanemilton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Evacuation orders</a> had been issued to <a href="https://x.com/CNBC/status/1844034715386257509" target="_blank" rel="noopener">millions</a> of people across several Florida counties, and <a href="https://www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shelters</a> were opened in areas bracing for the brunt of the hurricane. Storm surge up to <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/212329.shtml?peakSurge#contents" target="_blank" rel="noopener">12 or 13 feet</a> in some coastal areas could be <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/officials-give-stark-warning-to-florida-residents-who-refuse-to-evacuate-write-names-on-bodies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">particularly deadly</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Storm surge spills onto the bridge to Sanibel Island in Fort Myers, Florida, as Hurricane Milton starts to make landfall. <a href="https://t.co/Y9OSvzjXKr">pic.twitter.com/Y9OSvzjXKr</a>
&mdash; AccuWeather (@accuweather) <a href="https://twitter.com/accuweather/status/1844155300477272212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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After landfall, Hurricane Milton is expected to quickly move across the Florida Peninsula on Thursday and head out over the Atlantic Ocean away from the United States, giving room for any rescue and relief efforts to get underway.
Florida got slammed by Milton less than two weeks after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/remnants-of-hurricane-helene-continue-to-wreak-havoc-on-southeastern-u-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricane Helene</a> made landfall as a Category 4 storm. Crews were still <a href="https://x.com/citybeautiful/status/1844036875331285341" target="_blank" rel="noopener">picking up debris</a> from Helene on Wednesday, prompting warnings about detritus <a href="https://x.com/ABCNewsLive/status/1843670830556819519" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flying around</a> when Milton hit.
Milton made landfall as a &#8220;major&#8221; hurricane, but it was higher up the <a href="https://www.weather.gov/mfl/saffirsimpson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale</a> at Category 5 at times earlier in the week as it swept across the Gulf of Mexico and <a href="https://apnews.com/video/hurricanes-and-typhoons-weather-hurricane-milton-5c4bd5ae9bc54ee9a18ca1cf7367955b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">grazed</a> Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Inside Hurricane Milton, <a href="https://twitter.com/saildrone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@saildrone</a> reported wave height of 28.12 feet and wind gusts as strong as 75.95 mph while 40 nautical miles from the center of the storm. This research represents a collaborative endeavor to better understand the role of the ocean in hurricanes. <a href="https://t.co/gmaUopPEWj">pic.twitter.com/gmaUopPEWj</a>
&mdash; NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Lab (@NOAA_AOML) <a href="https://twitter.com/NOAA_AOML/status/1844115360997654917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hurricane-milton-rapidly-intensifies-into-category-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declared</a> a state of emergency, <a href="https://www.flgov.com/2024/10/07/governor-ron-desantis-suspends-tolls-to-assist-hurricane-milton-evacuations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspended</a> tolls to assist with evacuations, communicated with the public about what they should do to be ready for the storm, and <a href="https://www.flgov.com/2024/10/08/governor-ron-desantis-issues-updates-on-state-preparedness-efforts-for-hurricane-milton-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made other preparations</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
As Hurricane Milton makes landfall near Sarasota county, now is the time to shelter in place. First responders are staged and ready to go, as soon as weather conditions allow. Search and rescue efforts will be well underway to save lives before dawn, and they will continue for as…
&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1844171431112069381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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President Joe Biden, who approved an <a href="https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/hurricane/2024/10/07/hurricane-milton-president-biden-approves-emergency-declaration-florida/75558490007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">emergency declaration</a> to unlock federal assistance for hurricane response efforts in Florida, has been in communication with DeSantis and said he told the governor he was <a href="https://x.com/CurtisHouck/status/1843679524627579034" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;doing a great job.&#8221;</a>
Stunning images of Hurricane Milton have been shared online over the past few days, including <a href="https://x.com/dominickmatthew/status/1844025627390992850" target="_blank" rel="noopener">from</a> NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, who is on the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Endeavor docked to the International Space Station.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Timelapse flying by Hurricane Milton today about 2 hours ago. Storm looks bigger but less symmetric than yesterday. 
1/2000 sec, f8, 14mm, ISO 500, 0.5 sec interval, 30fps <a href="https://t.co/XUjQEJPOGg">pic.twitter.com/XUjQEJPOGg</a>
&mdash; Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) <a href="https://twitter.com/dominickmatthew/status/1844025627390992850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The Waffle House Index, which is used to signal an imminent disaster, helped keep residents alert. In a post to X, Waffle House <a href="https://x.com/WaffleHouse/status/1844033324483764556" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> it was closing restaurant locations around Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Ocala, and Daytona in the afternoon on Wednesday.

Florida Residents Prepare For Hurricane Milton

‘Major’ Hurricane Milton Makes Landfall Over Florida

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hurricane" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricane</a> Milton began to produce tornadoes in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/florida" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florida</a> on Wednesday as the outer bands of the storm reached across the state ahead of an expected landfall overnight.
A pair of twisters crossed Interstate 75 in the Florida Everglades around 10 a.m. ET, moving north between Miles City and Andytown, <a href="https://x.com/accuweather/status/1844020967087145149" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to</a> AccuWeather. Images of the tornados were posted to social media.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
🌪️🚨BREAKING: Two large tornadoes from Hurricane Milton crossed Interstate 75 in the Florida Everglades around 10 a.m. EDT, moving north between the towns of Miles City and Andytown. 
The tornado shown here was east of the first tornado and closer to Andytown. <a href="https://t.co/M65dpsvgWV">pic.twitter.com/M65dpsvgWV</a>
&mdash; AccuWeather (@accuweather) <a href="https://twitter.com/accuweather/status/1844020967087145149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The National Hurricane Center <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/091456.shtml?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a late-morning advisory that tornado supercells from Milton had begun to &#8220;sweep&#8221; across the southern Florida Peninsula.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
As bands from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Milton?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Milton</a> begin moving ashore, conditions will be favorable for tornado development across the central/southern Florida Peninsula, even far away from the expected landfall. Keep your alerts active on your phone and take immediate action if a warning is issued for your… <a href="https://t.co/k9MEZvO5Px">pic.twitter.com/k9MEZvO5Px</a>
&mdash; National Weather Service (@NWS) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWS/status/1844031535554462200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Milton has once again been downgraded to a Category 4 hurricane and is expected to drop further to Category 3 before making landfall somewhere between Tampa and Naples.
However, forecasters and local officials are warning that Milton will still be considered a &#8220;major&#8221; hurricane, <a href="https://www.weather.gov/mfl/saffirsimpson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">capable of</a> wreaking mass destruction, as its wind field grows in size.
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726313279401000&amp;usg=AOvVaw115_qPFFEePDP86-Fvo-Vd">Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here!</a>
<a href="https://www.floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/Hurricanemilton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Evacuation orders</a> have been issued to <a href="https://x.com/CNBC/status/1844034715386257509" target="_blank" rel="noopener">millions</a> of people across several counties, and <a href="https://www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shelters</a> have been opened in areas expected to get the brunt of the storm.
&#8220;Now is the time to execute your hurricane preparedness plan,&#8221; Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis <a href="https://x.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1844035780072681822" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post to X on Wednesday morning, adding later, &#8220;Time is running out.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
As of this morning, Hurricane Milton is still a Category 4 storm. Even if it weakens before landfall, Milton will be a major hurricane with catastrophic impacts on our state. 
Now is the time to execute your hurricane preparedness plan. Heed evacuation warnings from your local… <a href="https://t.co/qGlJsT7uW6">pic.twitter.com/qGlJsT7uW6</a>
&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1844035780072681822?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Hurricane Milton is capable of unleashing heavy rain, strong winds, tornadoes, storm surge, and flooding, including in places across the state not in the direct path of the storm.
Storm surge could be particularly deadly for those <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/officials-give-stark-warning-to-florida-residents-who-refuse-to-evacuate-write-names-on-bodies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">insisting on staying put</a>. Some locations in the Tampa Bay area and farther south could have more than 10 feet of water rushing inland.
Calculating just where landfall will happen remains a tricky exercise, as the National Hurricane Center <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT4+shtml/091456.shtml?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> it was &#8220;not possible&#8221; to predict about 12 hours out as&#8221;wobbles&#8221; may happen.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
11am EDT Wednesday- The Key Messages for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Milton?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Milton</a> are below. For more information on Milton, see <a href="https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ">https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ</a>, and for your local weather forecast, visit <a href="https://t.co/SiZo8oA90V">https://t.co/SiZo8oA90V</a>. <a href="https://t.co/8aLkZJzCxk">pic.twitter.com/8aLkZJzCxk</a>
&mdash; National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1844032080264761490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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After landfall, Hurricane Milton is expected to quickly move across the Florida Peninsula and head out over the Atlantic Ocean away from the United States.
Florida is bracing for Milton less than two weeks after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/remnants-of-hurricane-helene-continue-to-wreak-havoc-on-southeastern-u-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricane Helene</a> made landfall as a Category 4 storm, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/local/weather/helene-leaves-tampa-streets-under-water/2024/09/27/7ae3939c-60ce-43dc-817e-f70c1ed34fed_video.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">submerged</a> the Tampa Bay area, and caused havoc in other states.
Crews were still <a href="https://x.com/citybeautiful/status/1844036875331285341" target="_blank" rel="noopener">picking up debris</a> from Helene in places across Florida on Wednesday. People have been told to beware as debris could <a href="https://x.com/ABCNewsLive/status/1843670830556819519" target="_blank" rel="noopener">start flying around</a> with Milton approaching.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/CityofTampa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CityofTampa</a> still has crews out working hard to get debris picked up from Hurricane Helene before Hurricane <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Milton?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Milton</a> gets here tonight. Live coverage on <a href="https://twitter.com/weatherchannel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@weatherchannel</a> continues. <a href="https://twitter.com/JimCantore?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JimCantore</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mikebettes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mikebettes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertEltiempo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlbertEltiempo</a> <a href="https://t.co/XTwImm1Zxc">pic.twitter.com/XTwImm1Zxc</a>
&mdash; Charles Peek (@CharlesPeekWX) <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlesPeekWX/status/1844007100550410326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;
Stunning images of Milton have been shared online, including <a href="https://x.com/dominickmatthew/status/1844025627390992850" target="_blank" rel="noopener">from</a> NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, who is on the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Endeavor docked to the International Space Station.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Timelapse flying by Hurricane Milton today about 2 hours ago. Storm looks bigger but less symmetric than yesterday. 
1/2000 sec, f8, 14mm, ISO 500, 0.5 sec interval, 30fps <a href="https://t.co/XUjQEJPOGg">pic.twitter.com/XUjQEJPOGg</a>
&mdash; Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) <a href="https://twitter.com/dominickmatthew/status/1844025627390992850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Timelapse flying by Hurricane Milton today about 2 hours ago. Storm looks bigger but less symmetric than yesterday,&#8221; Dominick said in one post to X on Wednesday morning.
And don&#8217;t forget the so-called Waffle House Index used to signal an imminent disaster. The restaurant chain <a href="https://x.com/WaffleHouse/status/1844033324483764556" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> locations were closing around Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Ocala, and Daytona.

Waves crash along St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg

Hurricane Milton Bears Down On Florida, Unleashes Tornadoes

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hurricane" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricane</a> Milton rebounded to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hurricane-milton-reaches-category-5-could-be-worst-storm-to-hit-tampa-area-in-100-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Category 5</a> status on Tuesday afternoon as the powerful storm moved over the Gulf of Mexico toward <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/florida" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florida</a>.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/082053.shtml?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attributed</a> the upgrade to maximum sustained winds rising up to 165 miles per hour.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
4pm CDT Oct 8th Key Messages for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hurricane?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hurricane</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Milton?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Milton</a> which has become a Category 5 hurricane again:
Large area of destructive storm surge expected along portion of west-central coast of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Florida?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Florida</a> Peninsula. If you are in a Storm Surge Warning area, please evacuate if told by local… <a href="https://t.co/JRNnFfKLu5">pic.twitter.com/JRNnFfKLu5</a>
&mdash; National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1843759957835166059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Milton, which has oscillated between Category 4 and 5 over the past 24 hours, is still expected to make landfall along the west-central coast of Florida on Wednesday night.
However, the NHC signaled a degree of caution in its Tuesday afternoon forecast.
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726313279401000&amp;usg=AOvVaw115_qPFFEePDP86-Fvo-Vd">Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here!</a>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
430pm CDT Oct 8th &#8212; Observations from the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters (<a href="https://twitter.com/53rdWRS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@53rdWRS</a>) confirm that <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hurricane?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hurricane</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Milton?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Milton</a> is a Category 5 hurricane with max sustained winds of 165 mph. The minimum central pressure was down to 905 mb (26.72 inches).
TCU: <a href="https://t.co/QFMVE0t85y">https://t.co/QFMVE0t85y</a> <a href="https://t.co/fYUsyunaGa">pic.twitter.com/fYUsyunaGa</a>
&mdash; National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1843767329316057560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Milton &#8220;wobbled a bit&#8221; on Tuesday, which pushed the track guidance &#8220;a bit&#8221; to the south, the agency said in a <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT4+shtml/082054.shtml?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discussion post</a>.
NHC emphasized that it is &#8220;critical to remember&#8221; that forecasts from the agency can be &#8220;off&#8221; by an average of 60 nautical miles even at 36 hours out.
This &#8220;means we still can&#8217;t pinpoint an exact landfall location, especially if additional wobbles occur in the short term,&#8221; the agency said.
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Milton?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Milton</a> is the fastest Atlantic hurricane to intensify from a Tropical Depression to a Category 5 Hurricane, taking just over 48 hours. This animation shows Milton as it intensified, with the heaviest rains (red) concentrated near the center. <a href="https://t.co/uXpdGH1yEd">https://t.co/uXpdGH1yEd</a> <a href="https://t.co/YWwrpgQcTe">pic.twitter.com/YWwrpgQcTe</a>
&mdash; NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAEarth/status/1843777765968949618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/southeast/mandatory-evacuations-begin-in-tampa-bay-ahead-of-milton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Evacuation orders</a> have been issued in counties across the Gulf Coast, and <a href="https://www.nbc-2.com/article/hurricane-milton-shelters-southwest-florida/62531183" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shelters</a> have been opened for those seeking refuge.
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hurricane-milton-rapidly-intensifies-into-category-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declared</a> a state of emergency, <a href="https://www.flgov.com/2024/10/07/governor-ron-desantis-suspends-tolls-to-assist-hurricane-milton-evacuations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspended</a> tolls, and is <a href="https://www.flgov.com/2024/10/08/governor-ron-desantis-issues-updates-on-state-preparedness-efforts-for-hurricane-milton-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">making other preparations</a> for the storm.
&#8220;Now is the time to execute your plan and follow any evacuation orders from your local officials,&#8221; DeSantis said in a post to X late Tuesday afternoon.
&#8220;Your home can be rebuilt, your possessions can be replaced, but we cannot replace a life lost to the storm,&#8221; he added.
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Today, I visited a logistics staging area at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, one of our many staging sites just outside Hurricane Milton’s projected path. Florida and our partners have spent the past few days deploying personnel and equipment to strategically located sites like… <a href="https://t.co/ND8Kumd6kA">pic.twitter.com/ND8Kumd6kA</a>
&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1843758093974302868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The Tampa Bay area, which got <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/local/weather/helene-leaves-tampa-streets-under-water/2024/09/27/7ae3939c-60ce-43dc-817e-f70c1ed34fed_video.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">submerged</a> by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hurricane-helene" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricane Helene</a> less than two weeks ago, could get up to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hurricane-milton-forecast-shows-up-to-15-feet-of-storm-surge-in-tampa-bay" target="_blank" rel="noopener">15 feet</a> of storm surge with Milton.
During a Monday evening interview on CNN, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, a Democrat, issued a dire <a href="https://x.com/kaitlancollins/status/1843459098148327850" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warning</a> to residents who refuse to leave.
&#8220;I can say this without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die,&#8221; she declared.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/officials-give-stark-warning-to-florida-residents-who-refuse-to-evacuate-write-names-on-bodies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RELATED: Officials Give Stark Warning To Florida Residents Who Refuse To Evacuate: Write Names On Bodies</a>
As the NHC <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hurricane-milton-expected-to-double-in-size-before-florida-landfall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated earlier on</a> Tuesday, Milton&#8217;s wind field is poised to double in size and the hurricane may weaken before landfall.
Still, conditions that sap the storm &#8220;will likely not be enough to keep Milton from being an extremely dangerous hurricane when it reaches shore,&#8221; NHC said.
&#8220;Damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall will extend well outside the forecast cone,&#8221; the agency stressed.
That means places across Florida and beyond may feel the impacts of the storm, even if they are far away from where its core makes landfall.
&#8220;After landfall, Milton is forecast to cross Florida and emerge over the Atlantic waters on Thursday,&#8221; NHC also said.
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick shared images of Milton <a href="https://x.com/dominickmatthew/status/1843426012777890186" target="_blank" rel="noopener">from</a> the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Endeavor docked to the International Space Station.
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Timelapse flying by Hurricane Milton about 2 hours ago. 
1/6400 sec exposure, 14mm, ISO 500, 0.5 sec interval, 30fps <a href="https://t.co/p5wBlC95mx">pic.twitter.com/p5wBlC95mx</a>
&mdash; Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) <a href="https://twitter.com/dominickmatthew/status/1843679036792549688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Hurricane Milton Powers Back Up To Category 5, NHC Warns Of Landfall Uncertainty