Washington, Oct 10 (V7N) − As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris urged residents to heed safety warnings and take immediate precautions. At an emergency briefing Wednesday, Biden described Milton as "the storm of the century" and emphasized the life-threatening nature of the situation.

“It’s a matter, literally, of life and death,” Biden said from the White House, addressing the severity of the storm. The president has declared a state of emergency in Florida, mobilizing federal resources including search and rescue teams, emergency food supplies, water, power generators, and ambulances. The Defense Department has also positioned helicopters and high-water rescue vehicles to respond as soon as conditions allow.

Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking alongside the president, reinforced the urgency of evacuation orders, encouraging residents not to delay. “This is a storm that by every measure is going to be more dangerous, more deadly, and more catastrophic,” Harris warned.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has been deployed to Florida’s capital, Tallahassee, to oversee federal response efforts. She stated that over 1,000 federal personnel are already in the state, dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and preparing for Milton. Another 1,200 search-and-rescue workers are on their way to assist in the response.

“Floridians are no strangers to storms,” Criswell noted. “But this one, Hurricane Milton, is expected to be catastrophic. And I promise you that FEMA is ready.”

Seven Tornadoes Reported in South Florida as Milton Approaches

Ahead of Milton’s landfall, supercell thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes moved over South Florida Wednesday afternoon. Radar indicated intense thunderstorms across the state’s west coast, with reports of at least seven tornadoes in the region.

One tornado was confirmed in Fort Myers, while two unconfirmed tornadoes were reported to the National Weather Service in Miami − one causing damage in Florida City and Homestead, and another in Belle Glade. As conditions deteriorate, emergency officials are urging residents to remain vigilant, with more severe weather expected as the hurricane closes in.

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