Hurricane Milton is gaining power as thousands evacuate Florida before its too late but theres a glimmer of hope

COCKROACH BAY, Florida — Nearly six million Florida residents are under mandatory evacuation orders as monster storm Hurricane Milton threatens the western coast with the possibility of once-in-a-century damage when it makes landfall late Wednesday.Water-logged debris from Hurricane Helene — which hit the Sunshine state less than two weeks ago — still lines the streets of Ruskin on the southeast side of Tampa Bay.The water is projected to get much higher this time — with up to 15 feet of storm surge predicted.And the force will be dramatically more violent.

Milton gained strength on Tuesday after weakening slightly from one of the most powerful Category 5 storms on record.By the evening, winds picked up to 155 mph, just shy of returning to Cat 5 force.The errant couches, patio furniture and even boats cast asunder by last month’s storm will likely become deadly projectiles in the wake of Milton’s wrath.Officials have been pleading and threatening residents in evacuation zones to leave.

“If you choose to stay … you are going to die,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor bluntly told CNN, adding that a “literally catastrophic” major hurricane was barreling toward the Sunshine State.Despite the warning, 80-year-old Charlotte Farrell in Ruskin off of Cockroach Bay told The Post that she isn’t going anywhere.“Everyone says I should go to a shelter for this one, my son says I need to.I haven’t decided yet.

I’m not leaving town, this is my home.But I can decide to go to the middle school later if I want shelter there,” she said referring to Shields Middle School, which has been designated as a shelter.“The police went door to door yesterday telling us that we should get out, mostly because this is a trailer and we’re in a flood zone.

They said it’s mandatory, but if we don’t, we’re responsible for what happens to us.”Farrell lives in a tidy mobile home in Ruskin, which is still reeling from apocalyptic flooding brought by Hurricane Helene...