Hurricane Milton is rapidly approaching Florida, raising alarms due to its immense strength and the potential destruction it could cause. Initially classified as a category five hurricane before weakening to a category four, Milton remains a formidable storm with winds reaching up to 155 mph (250 km/h). The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings of “potentially catastrophic” storm surges, which could severely impact coastal regions, particularly around Tampa Bay, where the storm is expected to make landfall on Wednesday evening or early Thursday. This comes just days after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the southeastern U.S., killing at least 225 people, with many still unaccounted for.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has urged residents to evacuate, stressing that time is running out to avoid the full impact of the storm. Many areas in Florida are already under emergency warnings, with the state preparing for its largest evacuation operation in years. More than 50 of Florida’s 67 counties have been placed on alert, and evacuation orders were issued for several areas starting Monday. Toll roads in western and central Florida have been suspended to facilitate the evacuation process. Residents are bracing for torrential rains, flash flooding, and the possibility of storm surges that could rise between 10 and 15 feet (3-4.5 meters).
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The NHC forecasts that Hurricane Milton will weaken slightly as it passes over the Gulf of Mexico, dropping to a category three storm before hitting Florida. However, even at category three, the storm poses significant risks, including localized rainfall of up to 15 inches (38 cm) and widespread flooding. In preparation, long lines have formed at petrol stations, many of which are running out of fuel, while traffic has surged by nearly 90% above average in some areas. Florida’s airports, including those in Tampa and Orlando, are suspending flight operations starting Tuesday.
Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg has been opened as a shelter for evacuees, with thousands of cots set up to accommodate those fleeing the storm. This measure is crucial, especially in Pinellas County, which was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene just days ago, resulting in over a dozen deaths. Schools in several counties have also been closed, and authorities are encouraging everyone in affected areas to prioritize safety and heed evacuation orders.
The rapid intensification of Hurricane Milton has been noted by weather experts as particularly concerning. Ken Graham, director of the National Weather Service (NWS), stated that Milton’s wind speeds increased by 80 knots (148 km/h) within a 24-hour period, making it one of the fastest intensifying hurricanes on record. The storm’s trajectory suggests that it will bring life-threatening weather conditions to a region still recovering from Hurricane Helene, the deadliest mainland U.S. storm since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Helene claimed 14 lives in Florida alone, and many of the areas devastated by Helene are now bracing for Milton’s arrival.
As the storm moves closer, U.S. President Joe Biden has remained in contact with Florida’s governor to discuss the federal government’s response. However, political tensions have surfaced, with reports that DeSantis declined to take calls from Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris has criticized this decision, calling it irresponsible during such a critical time. Despite this, Biden has continued to coordinate relief efforts, with 500 additional troops being deployed to North Carolina, where Helene also caused significant damage.
The cleanup efforts from Hurricane Helene are ongoing, with over 12,000 cubic yards of debris removed from impacted areas in Florida within just two days. However, numerous roads remain closed due to the lingering effects of the previous storm, complicating the delivery of aid to hard-hit communities. Hurricane Helene made landfall in late September as a category four storm, causing widespread devastation across multiple states, including Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. North Carolina was particularly hard-hit, with many deaths and extensive property damage. President Biden has already approved $140 million in federal aid for affected areas, with relief efforts expected to continue for years.
The arrival of Hurricane Milton threatens to further exacerbate the damage caused by Helene. As Floridians rush to prepare for yet another major storm, the state is left grappling with the reality of back-to-back hurricanes and the long-term consequences they will leave in their wake.
