Hurricane Milton updates: Tracker shows dangerous path of Category 4 storm as Florida residents are warned to 'get out now'

The US government's disaster relief agency, FEMA, said it's been the target of false claims and conspiracy theories about its response to Hurricane Helene.

FEMA faced intense criticism for allegedly being slow to act and at times incompetent - as some residents even claimed they were left to fend for themselves after minor obstacles like a 'road closed' sign prompted officials to abandon efforts in their town.

'It’s frankly ridiculous, and just plain false. This kind of rhetoric is not helpful to people,' said FEMA boss Deanne Criswell.

'It’s really a shame that we’re putting politics ahead of helping people, and that’s what we’re here to do. We have had the complete support of the state,' she added, referring to North Carolina.

Republicans have helped foster a frenzy of misinformation over the past week among the communities most devastated by Helene, promoting false claims, including that Washington is intentionally withholding aid to people in Republican areas.

Donald Trump also accused FEMA of spending all its money to help immigrants who are in the United States illegally, while other critics said the government spends too much on Israel, Ukraine and other foreign countries.

Residents have been preparing for the incoming deluge, which meteorologists have warned could bring up to 15 inches of rain, by flood-proofing their homes.

Sandbags can be seen lining many properties in Sarasota - while the debris from Hurricane Helene which ravaged the area two weeks ago is still visible on the same streets.

The incoming Category 4 hurricane is expected to slam into many of the same areas hit by Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago.

Residents have barely had time to recover from the last storm, which killed 230 people across the US, before evacuating or bunkering down for a second time.

Helene was the the deadliest hurricane since Katrina in 2005 which killed more than 1,800 people - and meteorologists have warned Milton is expected to be even worse.

Tampa International Airport has announced it will be closing due to the hurricane.

'We will suspend flight operations at 9am Tuesday and reopen when safe to do so,' the airport said Monday morning.

Milton is expected to make landfall in Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

'Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions,' the amusement park said in a Sunday announcement.

'We are closely monitoring the path of the projected storm as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members,'

Disney has a track record of only closing under the direst conditions.

While forecast models vary widely, the most likely path suggests Milton could make landfall Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area and remain a hurricane as it moves across central Florida into the Atlantic Ocean.

The latest model from the National Weather Service shows Milton making landfall in Tampa Bay on Wednesday afternoon.

Attorney General Ashley Moody asked residents who are refusing to evacuate to take measures which would help responders identify them if they perish in the hurricane.

'You probably need to write your name in permanent marker on your arm so that people know who you are when they get to you afterwards,' she warned at a news conference.

The National Hurricane Center upgraded Milton to a Category 4 hurricane early Monday morning.

This means Milton is expected to bring 'catastrophic damage', with winds of up to 156mph and storm surges of up to nine feet.

'Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed,' the National Hurricane Center said.

'Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.'

The center issued a hurricane watch for Florida's Gulf coast from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay, as well as for the Dry Tortugas.

Meanwhile, a storm surge watch covers the Gulf coast from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay.

Florida residents have rushed to stock up on supermarket supplies in preparation for the incoming deluge.

Shelves have been left empty in one Walmart in the Gulf Coast city of Sarasota - one of the first places expected to be hit by the hurricane on Wednesday.