Milton was expected to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. The Tampa Bay region could face a direct hit, but the exact path of the storm remains unclear.

Tampa, Fla. — Fearful Florida residents streamed out of the Tampa Bay region Tuesday ahead of what could be a once-in-a-century direct hit from Hurricane Milton, as crews worked furiously to prevent furniture, appliances and other waterlogged wreckage from the last big storm from becoming deadly projectiles in this one.