**Florida Braces for Devastating Hurricane Milton, Stocks Feel the Impact**
Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene battered the state, Florida is gearing up for another powerful storm, Hurricane Milton, expected to make landfall on Wednesday. As the storm intensifies into a potential Category 4 or 5 hurricane, residents are urged to finalize preparations and evacuate immediately.
The massive storm has grown in size, putting a larger area of Florida at risk, with Hillsborough County, including Tampa, among the areas expected to call for evacuations. Several school districts have closed, and the state has declared a state of emergency. Florida Division of Emergency Management director Kevin Guthrie warns of the state’s largest evacuation since 2017.
The timing of Hurricane Milton couldn’t be worse, as the state is still reeling from the aftermath of Helene. Gov. Ron DeSantis cautions that the existing debris could increase damage dramatically and hinder emergency response efforts.
**Stocks to Watch**
Theme parks, including Walt Disney World (NYSE:DIS) and Universal Studios (NASDAQ:CMCSA), may face closures, lost revenue, and refunds due to the storm. Power companies like Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) and Southern Company (NYSE:SO) could experience widespread customer outages, leading to increased labor costs and infrastructure repairs.
On the flip side, home improvement retailers like Home Depot (NYSE:HD) and Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW) typically benefit from hurricane restoration efforts. Generac Holdings (NYSE:GNRC), a generator manufacturer, has already seen its shares hit new 52-week highs in anticipation of the storm.
The insurance sector faces uncertainty, as severe damage could hurt profits, while a weaker impact could boost earnings. Companies like Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK), Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL), and Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV) will be closely watched as they navigate the aftermath of the hurricane.
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