Hurricane Milton – the world’s strongest storm in 2024, so far – is heading towards Florida (USA). This afternoon, October 8 (Vietnam time), Hurricane Milton decreased in intensity from Level 5 to Level 4 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale used in the US, according to AP .

Specifically, the sustained winds of Hurricane Milton have decreased from about 290 km/h this morning to about 250 km/h, according to the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). However, a wind speed of 250 km/h (according to the scale that our country still uses, it is above level 17) is still a super typhoon and Hurricane Milton is still an “extremely serious danger to the state of Florida”.

Forecast track of Hurricane Milton (times shown are local time). Photo: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In this situation, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 51 counties of the state, according to Republic World . People in the city of Tampa (Florida) are urged to evacuate as soon as possible. Some places on the west coast of Florida have had mandatory evacuation orders.

As a result, several highways were blocked as people rushed to evacuate north. Cars lined up, with many drivers saying they were stuck for hours.

Here’s video of a clogged highway as thousands of families in Florida try to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton:

In addition to traffic jams, many people have reported gas stations running out or running low on gas around Florida. There have also been reports of plywood shortages as many residents buy them to reinforce their homes in anticipation of strong winds.

At a rest stop in Manatee County, Florida, several evacuees told Fox 13 : “I try not to show that I’m scared, but I am,” “Everyone has to leave… it’s really sad.”

Tens of thousands of people evacuated to avoid Hurricane Milton. Photo: Fox 13 News.

Hurricane Milton is forecast to make landfall in Florida, most likely in Tampa, on Wednesday. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned as she urged residents to evacuate: “This is serious. If you’re going to take on Mother Nature, she’s going to win 100 percent of the time.”