weather

Some 25,000 Americans depend on IVs containing life-sustaining nutrition. Hurricane Helene wrecked a factory in North Carolina that produced 60% of the fluids. Then, CVS closed its infusion business. Shortages and rationing ensued.

Criminal proceedings have begun Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, of Ruskin after his bull terrier found tied to a pole on Interstate 75 ahead of the hurricane. The rescued dog is safe with a foster family.

Mark Friedlander of the Insurance Information Institute understands some people may be fearful to file a claim but says home and flood insurance are there for times like these.

Kim Hackett and her family drove seven hours from Venice to Miami Beach to ride out Milton. She remembers the chaos of previous hurricanes like Irma and Charley.

Pinellas deputies began the morning by restricting access at the county line until the area was declared safe. Crews were already working in other areas flattened by the powerful winds and surge.

The 120-mph winds ripped the fabric roof to pieces at the Rays' stadium. Blocks away, a crane fell at a high-rise construction site. No injuries were reported.

Florida chief financial officer says hundreds of people will be involved in the first response, with teams that include trauma surgeons, structural engineers and dogs used in search-and-rescue missions.

The cyclone had winds of 120 mph as it roared ashore the Sarasota County barrier island about 8:30 p.m., bringing deadly surge to densely populated areas such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Fort Myers.

As Hurricane Milton advances, emergency preparedness is crucial. If 911 calls fail to connect, satellite emergency text services will be available for Google Pixel 9 and iPhone models 14 and up.

As the Category 4 storm aims for somewhere near Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister urged residents to finalize plans with a simple message: "We’re approaching that 11th hour."

Outgoing Senate President says "a whole new philosophy of reconstruction and resilience and resiliency in our state" will need to be discussed when lawmakers meet in March.

The forecast shows the storm making landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday near Tampa Bay. Meantime, Gov. Ron DeSantis assures evacuating residents that there is plenty of fuel available.