As Hurricane Milton moves toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, people are preparing for what experts say could be the worst storm in over 100 years. With huge storm surges and strong winds expected, the region is on high alert, and evacuation orders are being issued.
Hurricane Milton is gaining strength fast, and experts warn it could be one of the most dangerous storms in recent times. Many areas are already vulnerable due to past storms, increasing the risk of widespread damage and flooding.
Evacuation orders are in place, and officials are urging people to take the storm seriously and prepare for life-threatening conditions. Safety is the main focus as the storm approaches, and the next few days will be crucial for those in its path.
### Hurricane Milton: A Record-Breaking Storm
Hurricane Milton has grown into a Category 5 storm, one of the most dangerous types on the Saffir-Simpson scale. With winds over 157 mph, it could cause massive destruction along its path.
The National Hurricane Center warns that homes could be destroyed, trees and power lines will fall, and some places might not be livable for weeks or even months. They said, “A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse.”
Storm surges could be especially bad, with water levels rising up to 12 feet in some areas. This could be the worst surge the Tampa Bay area has seen in nearly 100 years. Just weeks ago, Hurricane Helene caused floods with an 8-foot water surge.
Milton is expected to bring even worse flooding. While the storm may weaken to a Category 3 by the time it hits Florida, it will still be dangerous. With winds up to 129 mph, even strong homes could suffer major roof damage, and trees are likely to be uprooted.
Many are comparing Milton to past hurricanes like Irma (2017) and Betsy (1965). But what makes Milton particularly dangerous is the debris left behind by Hurricane Helene, which could worsen the damage.
### Warnings from Officials: The Call to Evacuate
As the hurricane nears, local authorities are giving strong warnings to people in at-risk areas. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned, “[If you] stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re gonna die.”
She said that while past storms like Hurricane Helene were bad, Milton could bring destruction on a whole new level. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri echoed this, calling for the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017.
“This is going to be bad. Everyone just needs to get out,” he said. Governor Ron DeSantis also spoke of the risks, saying, “There are areas with a lot of debris… if hit by a major hurricane, it’s going to dramatically increase damage.”
Evacuation orders are in place, and local authorities stress that those who don’t leave will be on their own when the storm hits. Many who stayed behind in past hurricanes are now taking these warnings seriously.
### Evacuation Efforts in Full Swing
With Hurricane Milton approaching Florida’s Gulf Coast, evacuation efforts are in motion. Local authorities have ordered mandatory evacuations for several coastal communities, urging people to leave before it’s too late.
Traffic is heavy on highways as thousands of residents move inland to escape the storm. On Interstate 75, northbound lanes were packed with cars heading toward the Florida Panhandle.
Others sought shelter in places like Fort Lauderdale and Miami, which are expected to be less affected. Meanwhile, southbound lanes were nearly empty. Communities hit hard by past storms aren’t taking chances this time.
In Fort Myers Beach, a town devastated by Hurricane Ian two years ago, streets were empty as residents packed up and left, with only a few people staying behind to secure their homes.
Those who remember the severe flooding caused by Ian’s 15-foot storm surge know the danger is real and are taking steps to avoid a repeat of past tragedies.
As Hurricane Milton nears, people in high-risk areas need to know their evacuation zones and routes. The Florida Division of Emergency Management has a “Know Your Zone” tool, helping residents find their zone by entering their address.
This tool is especially important as evacuation orders continue to come for coastal areas along the Gulf Coast. Several counties are advising residents to check both their evacuation and storm surge zones.
Counties like Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, and Pasco have issued immediate evacuation orders for areas most at risk. Coastal communities in these regions must evacuate quickly.
Other counties, like Polk and Highlands, don’t have mandatory evacuations but recommend sheltering in place. Sarasota, Citrus, and Hernando counties are also monitoring storm surge zones for possible evacuations.
Officials emphasize the importance of knowing your evacuation zone and finding the nearest shelters and safe routes. Those who stay may face the full force of the storm, with emergency services likely unavailable once conditions worsen.
The “Know Your Zone” map offers an easy way for residents to plan their safest escape route. By using this resource and acting quickly, people can protect themselves and their families from Hurricane Milton’s potential devastation.
A woman converts a Boeing 747 into a fully functional home.
Buses, tiny houses, and shipping containers have all become popular building materials for one-of-a-kind homes.
These affordable substitutions for conventional housing provide the same level of comfort and a variety of customization options.
Jo Ann Ussery, on the other hand, designed her own unique home before it became popular.
She bought an old Boeing 727 and turned it into a lovely house.
Wonderful housing.
When Ussery’s home in Benoit, Mississippi, was destroyed in 1993, her adventure officially began.
She and her two kids needed a place to live because her husband had unexpectedly passed away, but they weren’t wealthy.
She had believed that purchasing a trailer would make all of her problems go away, but she soon realized she couldn’t afford a house big enough to accommodate her enormous family.
Ussery’s brother-in-law Bob, who works as an air traffic controller, suggested they try living aboard a plane.
Ussery was drawn to the idea and visited a Boeing 727 that had been disassembled for its parts.
Despite the piece’s $2,000 price tag (including shipping), she fell in love at first sight.
Ussery nicknamed her private Boeing 727 “Little Trump” after learning that Donald Trump also owned a private Boeing 727.
She started her expensive and time-consuming home improvements right away.
Less than $30,000 (or about $60,000 in modern currency) went toward the renovation.
While she worked on the inside, she needed to make sure it stayed in its current position.
Ussery made use of the lake that was already present on her property by bringing the plane down with its nose over the water. To achieve this specific goal, a sizable amount of concrete was used to secure the tail. The interior, which was roughly 1,500 square feet, was immediately demolished by her.
The aircraft measures 138 feet in length and has 76 windows.
Although the aircraft’s windows weren’t functional, as is typical of commercial aircraft, she wasn’t bothered by this because the air conditioning was working.
She upgraded the insulation and put in new flooring. What specific components of the original 727 were kept?
It is a brilliant idea to only have one airplane bathroom and overhead bins for your belongings.
The interior design.
Ussery was able to concentrate on the finer details and improved comforts once the significant changes were finished.
The remodeled jet had three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and even a laundry room.
The washer and dryer were there, but it also had a phone and an oven.
Without a doubt, Ussery’s work on the cockpit’s view of the lake was the most significant improvement.
It was transformed into a royal master bathroom with a soaking tub by her.
She designed the room’s layout to give everyone who was in it the sensation of floating.
The renovation was completed entirely by Ussery, which is especially noteworthy.
Before deciding to make her converted plane into a public museum, she lived there from 1995 to 1999.
Sadly, after being transported a short distance, it fell off the carriage and collapsed.
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