Tuesday marked the last chance for millions of people in the Tampa metro area to prepare for lethal storm surges, ferocious winds and possible tornadoes in a place that has narrowly avoided a head-on blow from a major storm for generations.

With Hurricane Milton expected to expand in size while it approaches Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said Tuesday that the “incredible” amount of traffic leaving the Tampa Bay area shows that Hurricane Helene was a true “wake-up call” for the entire region.