Foreign affairs minister urges Canadians to leave Florida ahead of devastating storm

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Canadians in Florida should leave and people planning to travel there should postpone as the state braces for Hurricane Milton.

The storm was downgraded this morning to a Category 4 but is expected to bring deadly storm surges, rain and winds.

It's expected to make landfall later today in the Tampa Bay area — home to more than 3.3 million people — and then move east, affecting other populated areas such as Sarasota, Orlando and Daytona Beach.

Millions of people have been ordered to evacuate.

WATCH | Joly tells Canadians it's 'not the time' to travel to Florida

Joly tells Canadians it’s ‘not the time’ to travel to Florida

2 months ago

Duration 0:43

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says her thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Florida as Hurricane Milton barrels towards the state. Joly added that Canadians should follow U.S. authorities' evacuation orders.

Florida is a popular destination for Canadian snowbirds, particularly in the winter. Joly says her office doesn't know exactly how many Canadians are now in the area.

She says her office has been in contact with American officials and that any Canadians who are registered with the embassy will have received an email telling them to leave.

• Are you a Canadian living in Florida? Or do you own property there? Tell us what you're worried about in an email to ask@cbc.ca.