AccuWeather's Bill Wadell was joined live by Mayor Liz Albert in Sarasota, Florida, as she implored residents to evacuate ahead of the potential storm surge from Hurricane Milton.

Florida

Hurricane Milton has made landfall as a Category Three system, causing tornadoes and widespread damage across parts of Florida.

Hurricane Milton

AccuWeather's Bill Wadell recently reported live from Sarasota, Florida, where he engaged in an important discussion with Mayor Liz Alpert. The primary focus of their conversation was the urgent need for residents, particularly those on barrier islands, to evacuate in anticipation of Hurricane Milton. The storm, which has been upgraded from a category three to a category four, poses a significant threat of storm surge, projected to reach 15 to 20 feet in some areas.

Mayor Alpert emphasized the increased danger associated with the storm, urging residents to evacuate to safer locations. She noted that once wind speeds exceed 40 miles per hour, it becomes too dangerous for first responders to offer assistance. The mayor stressed the importance of leaving before conditions deteriorate further, to avoid being trapped in life-threatening situations.

Waddell and Alpert both highlighted the risks of staying put during the storm and its aftermath, with potential hazards such as live electrical wires and contaminated water making post-storm conditions hazardous. Alpert, who has lived in Sarasota for five decades, expressed her concern for the community, acknowledging the severity of the situation as a potential direct hit—a reality the area hasn't faced in a century. She expressed confidence in Sarasota's ability to recover but emphasized the challenging road ahead.



Florida residents brace for 'catastrophic' hurricane

Bill Waddell is live this morning. Bill officials have been pleading with people near the water and on the Barry Islands to evacuate and for someone like yourself, who is a seasoned storm reporter, you understand the dangers of storm surge better than anyone. Absolutely, Bernie Ariella, storm surge is incredibly dangerous. We were staying on Siesta Key a few days ago and with that AccuWeather meteorologist warning us 15 to 20 feet of storm surge possible in some of those barrier islands, just like everyone else. We have packed up, left, evacuated. We are now in Sarasota and we are under cover of a building here because we've got lightning in the area. Very close lightning strikes this morning. That's another thing that folks are dealing with. We are here live this morning with Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert joining us. Thank you so much for taking the time. I know waking up this morning, a lot of people seeing the latest forecast updates. This is not a good situation. The potential of 15 to 20 feet of storm surge in the Sarasota area. What is your message to people, especially those who chose not to evacuate or they're trying to make that decision this morning? Well, obviously, what's going on now really isn't even the hurricane, but it's starting to look real. So my message, of course, is, you know, especially if you're on the barrier islands or in the vulnerable areas, please evacuate to a friend, a relative, or one of our many shelters that we have here in the city and the county. This is much more dangerous than we were anticipating, and you know, it was supposed to be a level three. Now it's a level four. So I think we really have to take it seriously. And I think most of the people in our area are taking it seriously. You know, I know the first responders are going to be out trying to help people. When conditions get bad, there's a certain point they cannot come out and help people. After the winds get to 40 miles per hour, they can't come out and help. So they can't rescue you if you've chosen to stay. So once the winds get to a sustained 40 miles per hour, so please, before it gets to that point, you know, get out and get somewhere where you can be safe. With that threat of dangerous storm surge, we know there's potentially going to be a lot of damage, even a lot of boats potentially being washed in. For people who choose not to evacuate, and they're going to be here after the storm, how dangerous is that going to be? Are you asking people if they stay here to shelter in place after the storm, to not be on the streets, to not go out and try and look at the storm surge or the damage? You know, absolutely. Until the streets are safe to go out on, you know, if there's water in the streets, don't go into the water because you don't know what's in there. There could be live electrical wires and, you know, it's contaminated. So stay in place. If you haven't gotten out, just stay where you are until the conditions clear up. And I just want to ask you on a personal level, obviously, you're the mayor. People here in this community look to you for answers. You have lived in the Sarasota area for decades. This is home to you. This has got to be a tough storm on a personal level. Just what's going through your mind knowing what Sarasota could look like in 24 hours from now? It really, it really is upsetting to me. I've lived in this area for 50 years and have never seen a direct hit from a hurricane. I think it's something like we haven't had one in 100 years. So you know, it is worrisome. I know we'll come back from it better and stronger, but it's going to be a tough one to get through. Liz Alpert, mayor of Sarasota. Thank you so much for joining us. I know we're going to be in touch with updates. And Bernie and Ariella, again, that's the message. Again, if folks are watching this morning or if you're the family or friends watching at home, you're nervous about your loved ones in the Sarasota area or especially out on those barrier islands still, these are not the worst of the impacts. They haven't even arrived. If you are on a barrier island, the message is to please get out while you can because this is a deadly storm surge threat. Issues are going to be essentially impossible during the worst of this hurricane. Bill, last question, you know, to take her aside from the professional and to look at the personal there. And that really just lets you know how worried folks are into the Sarasota area and really across the state of Florida. So Bill, reporting live for us in Sarasota, thank you for that important interview.

Israel has faced international condemnation over its three days of airstrikes in Syria. The European Union and the United Nations have called for a return to calm, while Iran has urged countries in the region to respond against Israel.

Damascus

Middle East Conflict

World reacts to Israeli attacks on Syria’s Damascus

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes his first state visit to the United Kingdom to sign a historic defence cooperation treaty—the first of its kind between Germany and Britain since the Second World War. The agreement includes plans for joint defence efforts, boosting economic collaboration, and tackling illegal migration.

London

Germany and UK seal historic defence pact

Donald Trump says American-made weapons bought by NATO are being shipped to Ukraine. Trump's also threatening sanctions, saying his aim is to force Putin to negotiate an end to the war. But with Ukraine under nightly attack, there’s scepticism over whether he'll achieve anything.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

U.S. ships NATO purchased Patriot missiles to Ukraine

Syria condemns Israel for fatal strikes on several government buildings in Damascus. The escalation threatens to disrupt new U.S.-brokered security talks between Israel and Syria, with both sides expressing concerns over stability in the region.

Israeli airstrikes on Syria threaten security talks

U.S. President Donald Trump is still dealing with fallout from his own supporters over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. CBS News Department of Justice reporter Jake Rosen has more.

Washington

Trump says Epstein conspiracy theory is hoax started by Democrats

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and that the two had agreed to strengthen trade collaboration, particularly in light of the tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump set to go in effect on August 1.

Mexico City

Global Tariffs

Mexico plans to strengthen trade with Canada

Former President Barack Obama joined his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, on her latest podcast episode with her brother Craig Robinson to address divorce rumors.

Obamas address divorce rumors on Michelle’s podcast

Israel struck Syrian military targets as well as central Damascus on Wednesday (July 16) as it continued its campaign to protect Druze minority communities in southern Syria.

Israel strikes Damascus as fighting rages in southern Syria

U.S. ambassador Mike Huckabee's appearance at Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial follows President Trump's call for Israel to throw out the case or pardon the Israeli prime minister.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

U.S. ambassador attends Netanyahu trial to show support from Trump

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would impose a 19% tariff on goods from Indonesia under a new agreement with the Southeast Asian country and more deals were in the works as he continued to press for what he views as better terms with trading partners.

Trump eyes more trade deals soon as EU readies retaliation

At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday (July 16) at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in what the U.S.-backed group said was a crowd surge instigated by armed agitators. This video contains graphic images.

Jerusalem

Crush at Gaza aid site kills at least 20, GHF blames agitators

Police in Los Angeles have arrested a 22-year-old suspect in the double homicide of American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca. The couple, both 70 years old, was found shot to death in their home earlier this week.

Encino

Police make arrest in murders of American Idol executive, husband

Streaming shows dominated nominations for the 2025 Emmy Awards. "Severance" earned the most series nominations with 27. Meanwhile, "The Studio" earned the most-ever nominations for a debut comedy series with 23.

Hollywood

'Severance' and 'The Studio' earn top Emmy nominations

The United Torah Judaism party has decided to quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition over its failure to secure military service exemptions. Members of the ultra-orthodox community have been exempted from enlisting in the army since 1948.

Major cracks in Netanyahu coalition as ultra-Orthodox party quits

New information about the Jeffrey Epstein case may soon be made public after a reversal from U.S. President Donald Trump and weeks of criticism — the loudest of which has come from within the MAGA movement.

Epstein files may be released after Trump reversal

Russia's Vladimir Putin has rejected President Trump's ultimatum for Moscow to sign a ceasefire deal with Ukraine in the next 50 days. Trump has threatened to issue a 100% tariff on any country that does business with Russia if no ceasefire deal is reached.

Moscow

Russia rejects Trump's ultimatum for ceasefire in Ukraine

Fighting has erupted in the southern Syrian city of As Suwayda just six hours after a ceasefire was announced. Earlier on Tuesday, Syrian government forces withdrew heavy vehicles from the city, hoping to ease tensions.

As Suwayda

Fighting erupts in Syria’s As Suwayda hours after ceasefire deal

Two laptops and hard drives containing watermarked and unreleased music by Beyoncé were stolen from her choreographer’s rental car in Atlanta, according to police.

Atlanta

Unreleased Beyoncé music stolen from choreographer’s rental car

The House Committee on Education and Workforce is holding its ninth hearing in 18 months on antisemitism on college campuses. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more details.

Anger at House committee hearing on antisemitism in college campuses

An Air India Boeing airplane crashed in northwestern India in June, killing all people on board but one passenger. India's aviation regulator has now ordered airlines to examine fuel control switches on several Boeing models.

New Delhi

India orders airlines to inspect Boeing airplane models after crash

Controversy on Capitol Hill over the so-called Epstein Files is seemingly not going away anytime soon.

House Republicans block Democratic push to release Epstein documents

An Israeli scheme to move hundreds of thousands of already uprooted Palestinians to a so-called "humanitarian city" in Gaza has led politicians to spar with the defense establishment. Critics inside and outside Israel have denounced the proposal.

Critics slam Israeli scheme to move Gazans to 'humanitarian city'

At least two people were killed in a New Jersey flash flooding event, Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday morning as heavy rains are expected to continue battering the Northeast. CBS News' Rob Marciano has more details.

New Jersey

Two killed in New Jersey flash flooding

After over a week of negotiations in Doha, a truce in Gaza remains elusive, despite intensified efforts by mediators. The stalemate continues as both Hamas and Israel trade blame over ongoing strikes.

Doha

Gaza truce still out of reach after Doha talks

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for President Donald Trump's administration to resume dismantling the Department of Education, part of his bid to shrink the federal government's role in education in favor of more control by the states.

U.S. Supreme Court clears way for Trump to gut Education Department

Syria's government troops entered the Sweida region following deadly clashes on Tuesday, while Israel carried out strikes against them, saying it was acting to protect the Druze minority.

Syrian forces enter Sweida city following deadly clashes

Heavy rains slammed the Northeast and caused flash floods in the New York City subway system. CBS News' Rob Marciano has the latest.

New York

Flash flooding pummels NYC and slams subway lines

US President Donald Trump told Russia to end its war in Ukraine within 50 days or face massive new economic sanctions, as he laid out plans for infusions of weaponry for Kyiv via NATO. "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 percent," Trump said.

Trump gives Moscow 50-day ultimatum over Ukraine war

A Gaza-bound boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid left Sicily, over a month after Israel detained and deported people aboard a previous vessel.

Sicily

New Gaza-bound aid boat leaves Italy

The U.S. will manufacture more weapons to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion. President Trump said European nations will be footing the bill.

See The Full Story

Hurricane Milton