Amid dire warnings and predictions of giant storm surges, Floridians puzzled over how far to flee was far enough — or whether to flee at all.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Hurricane Milton continues on its path toward Florida as a dangerous major hurricane. Milton will bring the potential for strong damaging winds, considerable rainfall, threat for flooding, tornadoes and even coastal storm surge through the duration of the storm.

Hurricane Milton strengthened into a dangerously powerful hurricane on a path toward Florida population centers, threatening a 12-foot storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations less than two weeks after a catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline.