Florida prepares for evacuations in the face of Hurricane Milton's threat and swells of up to 20 feet.

Hurricane Milton, which has rapidly gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico, has put millions of residents throughout the state of Florida on alert, who have seen how it went from category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale to the maximum (number 5) in just a matter of hours.

In light of the rapid evolution of the atmospheric phenomenon and as the storm continues to approach the coast of Florida, authorities have begun to activate emergency plans, including possible large-scale evacuations.

This Sunday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, along with other state officials, held a press conference where he warned about the potential impact of Milton, which could reach the state on Wednesday as a category 5 hurricane.

It is estimated that the storm would make landfall along a stretch of the coast between Tampa and Naples, causing storm surges of between 10 and 20 feet, which could lead to severe flooding in Tampa Bay and other coastal areas, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

"It is crucial for residents to complete their preparations now," emphasized Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Guthrie urged people in vulnerable areas to consider evacuating as soon as possible, anticipating what could be one of the largest evacuations since Hurricane Irma in 2017.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Milton, which formed as a tropical depression on Saturday, quickly became a tropical storm and then a hurricane on Sunday.

Although no alerts have yet been issued for the continental territory of the United States, authorities are closely monitoring the storm's trajectory. However, tropical storm warnings have already been activated for parts of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

If Milton reaches Florida, it would be the third hurricane to make landfall in the state during this season, following Debby in August and Helene in September.

In light of this situation, local and state authorities are urging the population to stay informed and follow official recommendations, as the combined effects of strong winds, storm surge, and heavy rains could cause significant damage, especially in coastal areas.

Residents in risk areas must be prepared to evacuate if authorities request it and follow weather reports as the storm approaches.