Florida gas stations struggled to keep up with demand Tuesday as long lines and empty pumps compounded the stress for residents planning to hunker down or flee as Hurricane Milton approached the state's western coast.

More than 5.5 million people were urged to leave Florida’s western coast, one of the largest evacuations in state history. Some who have stayed for previous storms decided to go this time.

Gas stations in many areas of Florida are running out of gasoline, as residents prepare for Hurricane Milton. Demand for gas has surged as some residents in Milton’s path are trying to fuel up before they evacuate.

Hurricane Milton is one of the Atlantic Basin’s strongest storms on record and the frenzy of evacuations in Florida, where it’s expected to make landfall Wednesday evening, has led to shortages at nearly 16% of the gasoline stations in Florida,