No matter where Hurricane Milton makes landfall, the damage is expected to be extensive. Photo: New York Times.

The figure marks the largest Florida National Guard search and rescue mobilization in state history, according to the Guardian.

Meanwhile, more than 50,000 electricians will work to restore power lines immediately after the storm passes, many from as far away as California.

Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, is expected to double in strength by the time it makes landfall in the US late on October 9 or early on October 10 (local time), with storm surges of up to 4.5 metres along a low-lying stretch of Florida’s coast including the cities of Tampa, St Petersburg and Sarasota.

Described as the “storm of the century”, with sustained winds still recorded at 160 mph, Milton turned northeast overnight, about 300 miles southwest of Tampa, heading for densely populated and vulnerable communities.

The storm is expected to weaken slightly to a Category 4 storm upon landfall with sustained winds of about 210 km/h.

“Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida,” the National Hurricane Center warned.

In an 8 a.m. update on October 9, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said it was still unclear exactly where the eye of the storm would make landfall, but the impact would be “widespread…everywhere on Florida’s west coast could see a storm surge.”

“If someone is in a one-story house and they get hit by a 15-foot storm surge, meaning the water comes in immediately, there’s nowhere to go,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned. “So if you’re in a one-story house, it’s basically a coffin.”

Authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders for 11 Florida counties with a combined population of about 5.9 million. Before Hurricane Helene hit in September, residents who remained were encouraged to write their names and social security numbers on their bodies for easier identification after death.

Current forecasts suggest this storm surge is expected to hit Fort Myers Beach, an area still recovering from Hurricane Ian two years ago.

The area was also hit by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, raising concerns that furniture, equipment and debris left behind from that storm will pose a hazard in this next storm.

DeSantis said the state has deployed more than 300 trucks to collect 1,300 tons of trash. One resident said he saw bull sharks swimming through flooded streets after Hurricane Helene.

No matter where Hurricane Milton makes landfall, the damage is expected to be extensive.