Hurricane Milton Updates: Biden slams Trump for lies over hurricanes

US President Joe Biden accused Republican election nominee Donald Trump on Wednesday of unleashing an "onslaught of lies" over the government's response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

"There's been a reckless, irresponsible and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies," Biden told a briefing at the White House. "Former president Trump has led the onslaught of lies."

National Weather Service tweeted:

With the increase of winds from Milton, the risk for significant flash flooding, and the threat of tornadoes...being in your vehicle today is one of the most unsafe places you can be. Find a sturdy structure and remain there today!

National Weather Service tweeted:

As bands from Milton begin moving ashore, conditions will be favorable for tornado development across the central/southern Florida Peninsula, even far away from the expected landfall. Keep your alerts active on your phone and take immediate action if a warning is issued for your area.

Scientists say global warming has a role in intense storms as warmer ocean surfaces release more water vapor, providing additional energy for storms, which exacerbates their winds.

A report by the World Weather Attribution group published Wednesday said Hurricane Helene's torrential rain and powerful winds were made about 10 percent more intense due to climate change.

Milton was downgraded by the US weather service from top-of-the-scale Category 5 to a 4 early in the day. However, that will make little difference to the ferocity of the wind and height of tidal surges inundating the heavily populated and low-lying coast.

Florida residents fled -- or defied warnings and tried to take shelter -- Wednesday in the final hours before Hurricane Milton, a lethal Category 4 storm, roars out of the ocean and tears across the state.

Hurricane expert Michael Lowry warned that in the Tampa area, home to about three million people, Milton's storm surge "could double the storm surge levels observed two weeks ago during Helene," which brought massive flooding.

Airlines put on extra flights out of Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers and Sarasota, as highways clogged up with escaping traffic and gas stations sold out of fuel.

"Milton remains a catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane," said the National Hurricane Center (NHC), forecasting the storm to make landfall on the Florida Gulf coast late Wednesday night.

It "is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the west-central coast of Florida," it said.

Tampa city mayor Jane Castor warned residents on CNN: "If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die."

At a news conference, Governor Ron DeSantis ticked off town after town in danger.

"Basically the entire peninsula portion of Florida is under some type of either a watch or a warning," he said.

A Ukraine defence meeting scheduled for Saturday at a US base in Germany was pushed back after President Joe Biden called off a state visit because of Hurricane Milton, the US military said.

The summit at the Ramstein air base on October 12 "is postponed", the military said Wednesday in a statement to media, without specifying a new date.

"Announcements about future Ukraine Defense Contact Group meetings will be forthcoming."

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky had said he would attend the meeting to discuss military support for Ukraine. It has been expected to bring together more than 50 of Ukraine's allies.

President Joe Biden warned that the Category 5 storm could be the worst natural disaster to hit the state in a century.

"It's a matter of life and death, and that's not hyperbole," Biden said from the White House on Tuesday, urging those under orders to leave to "evacuate now, now, now."

President Joe Biden has postponed an overseas trip to stay at the White House and monitor the storm, warning that Milton “could be one of the worst storms in 100 years to hit Florida.” As the state braces for impact, authorities are urging residents to take the necessary precautions and heed evacuation orders.

Heavy rainfall has already begun to affect parts of southwestern and west-central Florida, with forecasts predicting 6 to 12 inches of rain, and localised amounts up to 18 inches in some areas, leading to a high risk of flash flooding. Tornadoes are also possible across central and southern Florida.

As of October 9 morning, Milton was situated about 300 miles southwest of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds reaching 160 mph. The hurricane is moving northeast at a speed of 14 mph and is expected to increase its forward speed as it approaches land.

As Hurricane Milton approaches, officials have ordered evacuations for millions of residents, warning that those who choose to stay may face dire consequences. The National Hurricane Center predicts Milton will likely weaken slightly but still remain a significant hurricane upon landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday.

“This storm has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida,” the center cautioned.

Milton, which regained its Category 5 status on Tuesday afternoon, is now bearing down on the Tampa Bay area, Florida, home to over 3.3 million residents, according to Associated Press. This region has not experienced a direct hit from a major hurricane in more than a century. The storm is also targeting other parts of Florida's west coast that were recently impacted by Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on September 26.

Hurricane Milton has intensified as it heads toward Florida, threatening significant storm surges, heavy rainfall, and destructive winds to major population centers in the state. This comes just two weeks after Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage along the coastline.