Hurricane Milton live updates: ‘Storm of the century’ expected to make landfall in Florida tonight

Joe Biden has slammed Donald Trump for leading an “onslaught of lies” and promoting “disinformation” about recovery and aid ahead of the approaching Hurricane Milton.

“Over the last few weeks there has been a reckless, irresponsible and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies that are disturbing people,” Biden said in a televised statement on Wednesday.

“It’s undermining confidence in the incredible rescue and recovery work that is being undertaken… it’s harmful for those who need help the most.”

He added: “There is simply no place for this to happen. For president Trump has led the onslaught of lies. Assertions have been made that property has been confiscated… that is simply not true… They’re saying money for this crisis is being diverted to migrants, what a ridiculous thing to say.”

Biden also mentioned Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and her bizarre claim that Democrats were “controlling the weather.” “It’s gotta stop,” he said. “In moments like this there are no red or blue states, there’s one United States of America.”

Florida residents described a “mad dash to get gas” as millions have evacuated across the state before Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall later today.

Many who have left the area over the last few days were hit with heavy congestion and other travel headaches.

A Texas mayor suggested an unusual remedy to stop Hurricane Milton ahead of it making landfall: by nuking it.

Bobby Lindamood, the mayor of Colleyville, took to Facebook to share the bizarre idea with his network.

“For the amount of destruction the next hurricane is bringing, it’s time to throw a simi nu/ke bo//mb  (minus the radiation) at this dude and see if we can stop the rotation. It may save more than it can hurt,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Just casting thoughts and ideas. This gonna be bad,” he wrote on Facebook.

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, that won’t work.

Hurricanes generate far more energy than even the biggest nuclear bombs, the NOAA said. In fact, a fully developed hurricane releases energy equal to a 10-megaton bomb every 20 minutes. So, even a nuclear explosion would barely make a dent in the storm’s power.

Worse, the radioactive fallout could be carried by the winds, spreading contamination over a huge area.

Lindamood told The Independent that his insights were simply an “expression of deep concern” for those in Milton’s path.

“After seeing the mass destruction caused by the Helene hurricane, my heart goes out to all the people that may be impacted by one of the largest hurricanes in history,” he said.

“My post was simply an expression of deep concern for Florida and surrounding states who will be impacted. My comments were meant to convey a desire to use all available resources to protect American citizens not a literal suggestion.”

A Florida resident has revealed the reason he’s chosen not to evacuate, despite a mandatory order issued to his county.

Millions of Floridians have been issued evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Milton’s anticipated landfall on Wednesday evening on the state’s west-central coast. The storm will then move to the east coast over the Atlantic Ocean by Thursday afternoon.

Dave Carol of Vilano Beach, St Johns County, has decided to stay put – despite a mandatory evacuation order being issued to the county.

“We’re hurricane chasers!” Dave Carroll told Action News Jax.

“And being originally from Fort Lauderdale, we know. It’s just Asheville, they’re not prepped for that. This area is prepped for it, and so I think it’ll be, the main thing is the flooding.”

He added: “Our house has never flooded here and we’re not in a flood zone.”