One of the worst storms

Meteorologists warn Milton could be one of the worst storms to hit Florida

By CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar

Hurricane Milton is posing such a serious threat that forecasters are using some of the strongest possible wording to try to get people to take it seriously and evacuate if told to do so.

“If the storm stays on the current track, it will be the worst storm to impact the Tampa area in over 100 years,” the National Weather Service in Tampa said. “Milton continues to pose a potentially catastrophic threat to parts of the west Florida coast.”

“Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida,” the National Hurricane Center warned on Monday. “This is an extremely life-threatening situation,” the NHC said.

“Heavy rainfall from Milton will result in widespread flash flooding Wednesday across central Florida, with life-threatening and catastrophic flooding probable,” the Weather Prediction Center said.