Fleeing residents clog interstates as experts warn hurricane could be one of state’s ‘most damaging and costly storms’

• Tell us: how have you been affected by Hurricane Milton?

In happier times, Interstate 4 from Tampa to Orlando is choked with pleasure seekers heading for the theme parks of Disney and similar enjoyable Florida pursuits. But on a Tuesday, a deep sense of foreboding hung over the lengthy lines of near-stationary traffic as Hurricane Milton, the strongest storm forecast to strike Tampa Bay in more than a century, churned in the Gulf of Mexico, edging ever-closer to its target.

Hundreds of thousands of Floridians, heeding urgent warnings from authorities to flee while they still had the opportunity, were caught up in the tailbacks as they headed inland to safety. Some even took to the air, with three people injured as their small plane crashed into Tampa Bay on Tuesday morning during their attempt to escape.