Weather

As the storm exits, residents in Tampa and surrounding areas have to navigate the damage. NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor of Florida about the latest on Milton.

Todd Dunn of the Fire and Emergency Management Department of Charlotte County, Fla., talks to NPR's Michel Martin about conditions in his county which had issued mandatory evacuation orders.

Hurricane Milton brought devastating storm surges and high winds to a huge swath of Florida's western Gulf Coast. The storm is moving across the peninsula and into the Atlantic Ocean.

Florida residents are being encouraged to shelter in place, as hazards such as storm surges, tornadoes and high winds and flash flood warnings were extended into early Thursday morning.

Milton is expected to produce dangerous storm surges of up to 13 feet.

Hurricane Milton is bearing down on Florida's west coast. It's packing a powerful punch as a major hurricane and destined to bring a storm surge potentially up to 15 feet.

Twenty years ago, a major hurricane unexpectedly slammed into Punta Gorda, catching most everyone off guard. As Milton moves into this same area, people are remembering and preparing.

In spite of the very real threat to their homes, belongings and livelihoods, many Floridians in Milton's potential path remained in good spirits hours before its expected landfall.

As of Tuesday morning, Hurricane Milton was just over 500 miles southwest of Tampa, Fla, and expected to make landfall late Wednesday night.

The election and Atlantic hurricane seasons are overlapping with dramatic effect, and not for the first time. Here's what we can learn from other storms that shaped elections, from Katrina to Maria.