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.
Leaving Hollywood for her starry-eyed megastar, she finds that love is all you need
Barbara Bach, famously known for her role as Bond girl Triple X, wasn’t waiting for James Bond to come to her rescue; instead, she was on a quest for her own prince charming—rock legend Ringo Starr, also known as Sir Richard Starkey.
Now at the age of 77, Bach reached the zenith of her career when she starred in the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me, where she portrayed Anya Amasova, a complex character who was both the love interest and a rival to the charming yet womanizing 007, played by Roger Moore.
In a candid 1983 interview with People, Bach didn’t hold back her opinion about her character’s relationship with Bond, referring to him as “a chauvinist pig who uses girls to shield him against bullets”. Moore himself agreed, stating in a 1973 People interview: “Bond, like myself, is a male chauvinist pig. All my life I’ve been trying to get women out of brassieres and pants”.
Before landing her iconic role in the Bond franchise, Bach had appeared in several Italian films, including Black Belly of the Tarantula, where she shared the screen with fellow Bond actresses Claudine Auger and Barbara Bouchet.
Bach’s portrayal of the KGB agent Anya Amasova not only solidified her status as a beloved Bond girl but also opened doors to numerous opportunities in her acting career. Following her Bond debut, she starred in Mad Magazine Presents Up the Academy (1980) and Caveman (1981), where she worked alongside Ringo Starr, who played a Neanderthal vying for her affections. Interestingly, the movie’s script contrasted sharply with their actual relationship, as they only became romantically involved towards the end of filming.
In a revealing Playboy feature from 1981, Bach noted: “A lot of garbage has been written about us, none of it interesting. The truth is, we weren’t together until the very end of Caveman. Working, we got along fine, but we each had other people, our respective friends. Then, all of a sudden, within a week—the last week of shooting—it just happened. We changed from friendly love to being in love”.
In a 2021 interview with the Irish Examiner, Starr reminisced about their first encounter at Los Angeles International Airport in 1980. “I love the woman. I loved her from when I first saw her at LAX”, he shared. “I’m blessed she’s in my life, that’s all I can ever say.”
Starr, renowned as the drummer for the legendary band The Beatles, was once part of a performance at New York’s Shea Stadium in 1965, where Bach was present. However, she revealed that she wasn’t an ardent Beatles fan, attending the concert with her sister Marjorie, a passionate follower of the band. “I liked [Bob] Dylan, Ray Charles, and the Rolling Stones”, Bach remarked in a People interview from 1981.
Bach’s sister eventually married Joe Walsh, the Eagles guitarist, who later performed with Starr in the All-Starr Band. Just months after John Lennon’s tragic death, Bach and Starr tied the knot on April 27, 1981, with notable guests including Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
Their journey together hasn’t been without challenges. Just before their wedding, the couple survived a near-fatal car accident, which prompted them to vow to stay together. Starr remarked: “We decided we wouldn’t spend any time apart. So far the longest break was five days, and that was too long. I want to live every minute with Barbara”.
The couple also took a significant step together in 1988 by entering rehab, emerging sober since then. Celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in 2021, Starr shared a nostalgic wedding photo with the caption:, “It was 40 years ago today The love of my life said yes yes yes”.
Starr and Bach’s love extends beyond their personal lives; they also have a blended family, with Starr having three children from his late wife Maureen Cox and Bach two from her former marriage to Augusto Gregorini. Together, they run the Lotus Foundation, which supports various causes, including animal welfare, substance abuse, homelessness, and cancer research. Starr donates all proceeds from his art sales to the foundation.
There’s no denying the deep affection shared between Barbara Bach and Ringo Starr, a bond that remains as strong as ever. As Bach expressed: “I love the man, and that’s it”. Starr echoed her sentiments, saying: “There’s no escape… I think I love Barbara as much (today) as I did (when we met), and I’m beyond blessed that she loves me and we’re still together”. Their inspiring love story continues to resonate, and fans eagerly anticipate what they will accomplish together in their charitable endeavors and personal lives.
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