Orlando's tourism machine began grinding to a halt with at least two major theme parks and the main airport announcing closures ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected hit as a major storm in Florida.

Communities along Florida's west coast are bracing for a life-threatening storm. Many residents are taking Milton very seriously, heeding calls to evacuate to higher ground. Others are staying put.

In the wake of hurricanes that have disrupted lives for millions in the U.S., some people may wonder if extreme weather events could be somehow controlled. Scientists say hurricanes are far too powerful for that — and climate change is providing more fuel than ever for devastating storms like Helene.