SUMMARY: Hurricane Milton is rapidly intensifying into a Category 5 storm as it approaches Florida’s Gulf Coast, particularly targeting the densely populated Tampa Bay area. The storm is exhibiting significant lightning activity in its eyewall. Although it is expected to weaken slightly before landfall, Milton poses a serious threat to an area still recovering from Hurricane Helen’s impact. Florida’s governor has issued a mandatory evacuation order for the Tampa region, which hasn’t experienced a direct hit from a major hurricane in over a century. Traffic is heavy as thousands evacuate northward, creating a tense situation for those fleeing.

Several Florida counties are under mandatory evacuation orders before Milton makes landfall.

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SUMMARY: This evening, Governor Bill Lee, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are assessing damage to I-40 in Tennessee, which has been closed for over a week due to destruction from the Pigeon River. This vital highway typically accommodates around 30,000 vehicles daily and serves as a crucial link for both Tennessee and North Carolina. Repairs on the North Carolina side will require resources sent through Tennessee. Although the governor did not provide a timeline for repairs, the Federal Highway Administration will discuss efforts to restore this essential route during the upcoming 6 PM news segment.

TDOT and North Carolina crews are working on opening the westbound lanes of I-40 for two-lane traffic.

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SUMMARY: Over 3,300 Tennesseans have applied for federal disaster relief following Hurricane Helene, as reported by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Residents in several counties are eligible for assistance after Governor Bill Lee’s declaration was approved by the Biden administration. Lee praised the collaboration of local, state, and federal agencies alongside volunteers. The Dollywood Foundation donated $2 million to support survivors, while Bristol Motor Speedway is serving as a donation site. The Tennessee Department of Transportation estimates recovery costs in the “hundreds of millions,” with twelve confirmed storm-related deaths and fifteen missing persons reported. Residents are advised to boil water due to damage.

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