Florida prepares for massive evacuation as hurricane approaches

Satellite image of Hurrican Milton from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration taken on Sunday night (NOAA/AP)

Florida is gearing up for what could be its biggest evacuation in seven years as Hurricane Milton strengthens over warm waters and heads toward major population centres including Tampa and Orlando.

About seven million people were urged to evacuate Florida in 2017 as Hurricane Irma bore down on the state.