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.
Tom Cruise thought about becoming a monk while married to “extremely brilliant” woman before Nicole Kidman
Tom Cruise, one of the most well-known American movie actors, became well-known at a very young age. When he acted in the now-classic film “Top Gun,” the actor was just 24 years old.
Fans might not be aware, though, that Cruise was given a dyslexia diagnosis when he was just seven years old. The actor has also been a longstanding follower of the Church of Scientology, and he attributes their help in helping him overcome his dyslexia.
Mimi Rogers, Cruise’s first wife, introduced him to the faith. Since her father was a member, he introduced Cruise to his faith and extended an invitation to a meeting at the Hollywood Scientology facility.
Cruise is a member of the Hollywood Educational Literacy Project’s board of directors. With the use of this learning tool, adults and children can receive free one-on-one instruction.
Cruise claimed that even with many tutors’ assistance, he had made every effort to comprehend the reading material, but he was unable to retain what he had read.
Cruise wasn’t able to acquire the assistance he need until he discovered L. Ron Hubbard’s Scientology study tools.
The actor greatly appreciates H.E.L.P. technology because it enabled him to overcome his learning problem by placing the object he was studying in front of him. The idea is to “have an airplane in front of you, if at all possible, while you’re studying an airplane.”
The airplane example is appropriate as Cruise has acknowledged to others that he has always wanted to become a pilot. Despite getting to pretend to be a pilot in “Top Gun,” his dyslexia prevented him from pursuing a career in aviation.
Instyle magazine claims that Cruise and Rogers first spoke in an interview with Rolling Stone in 1986. However, the actress was seeing his friend at the time, so she was powerless to stop it.
Nonetheless, Tom claimed that her “extreme brilliance” piqued his interest. Things moved swiftly once they grew close, and they soon started discussing marriage.
It was not an easy effort, nevertheless, to marry one of the most well-known guys in Hollywood; according to Instyle, they hid the wedding by referring to it as “the project.” The project was carried out in 1987. They seemed to have had a lovely, private ceremony.
The actor claimed that Rogers improved him as an actor and that he couldn’t see himself with anyone else. He continued, saying:
“My wife is the most important person in my life. My best friend is her.
According to Andrew Morton’s unofficial biography of Tom Cruise, the actor filed for divorce on December 9, 1989.
But Mimi gave a detailed account of the circumstances behind her marriage’s dissolution in an interview. She acknowledged that it “bothers” her that her age is frequently mentioned in the media. Tom Cruise was six years her junior.
The well-known actress Rogers maintained, though, that their separation had nothing to do with Scientology, celebrity, or Cruise’s jealously.
The actress disclosed that Cruise had given serious thought to becoming a monk, a career choice that would not work with a married life. As a result, their marriage failed.
Although Cruise maintains the privacy of his personal life, Instyle reports that there are speculations circulating that he dated his “Mission Impossible” co-star Hayley Atwell from 2020 to mid-2022 and is currently unmarried.
Regarding Rogers, she wed producer Chris Ciaffa in 2003; the couple is parent to two kids, Charlie and Lucy.
Following their divorce, Cruise and Rogers announced that the actress had quit Scientology. He continues to be an involved member of the church, for his part.
According to some sources, the church of Scientology played a role in the breakup of Cruise’s two marriages—the first to Rogers and the second to Nicole Kidman.
The actor, who still attends his church, feels that Scientology was a major factor in his success and in helping him get over his dyslexia.
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