Those near "major polluters in Milton's trajectory might face the true disaster in the aftermath of the storm," a researcher said.

Several schools, colleges and universities have announced they'll be closed in anticipation of Hurricane Milton. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says there’s still much uncertainty about Hurricane Milton, but the state is preparing to open highway shoulders for mass evacuations to come.

Hurricane Milton, now a powerful Category 4 hurricane, is taking aim at Florida's west coast. Landfall is expected late Wednesday night, possibly as a Category 3 hurricane. Milton is closing in as Floridians are still recovering from the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene.