NEW: Alabama State Parks open for Hurricane Milton evacuees

The Alabama State Parks Division is preparing to help our neighbors in Florida ride out Hurricane Milton.

The storm is rapidly strengthening in the Gulf, reaching Category 5 status ahead of an anticipated landfall in Tampa. As Floridians pick up the pieces from Hurricane Helene and prepare for Milton’s devastation, the Alabama State Parks Division is offering a helping hand.

Hurricane Milton: An update

8PM EDT: This is nothing short of astronomical. I am at a loss for words to meteorologically describe you the storms small eye and intensity. 897mb pressure with 180 MPH max sustained winds and gusts 200+ MPH. This is now the 4th strongest hurricane ever recorded by pressure on… pic.twitter.com/QFdqFYFI7o

— Noah Bergren (@NbergWX) October 8, 2024

Category 5 Hurricane Milton is said to be “nearing the mathematical limits” of power a hurricane can produce in the Gulf of Mexico. To give you an idea of how rapidly the storm is progressing, it went from becoming a named tropical system to a Category 5 hurricane in under 48 hours.

Officials aren’t mincing words about the situation as they issue dire warnings to residents who decide not to heed evacuation orders. Storm surges tall enough to swallow entire homes are projected around the Bay Area.

Hundreds of thousands are under evacuation orders as Milton’s Thursday landfall ticks closer.

Alabama State Parks + Hurricane Milton

For those under evacuation orders, getting out of town is often the start of a series of other problems. Securing a hotel room or Air BnB during a natural disaster is a daunting task.

The Alabama State Parks Division is helping out by coordinating efforts across all 21 parks to match families with the facilities that best suit their needs.

At our last check at the end of business on October 8, there is still space at all 21 parks for evacuees to reserve during Milton. You can call 1-800-Alapark or check their bookings page for more information.

This is a developing story. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates as we receive them.