Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, setting its sights on Florida. This powerful hurricane poses a significant threat, particularly to Tampa Bay, with authorities warning of dangerous storm surges and prompting widespread evacuations.
The current situation adds urgency to the ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, which devastated the same coastal region less than two weeks ago. The overlap of these severe weather events underscores the vulnerability of Florida's coastline.
Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center, announced at a Monday press briefing that Hurricane Milton is expected to bring maximum winds of up to approximately 233 kilometers per hour by Wednesday. Additionally, a storm surge reaching about 4.6 meters is anticipated, exacerbating the potential for flooding and structural damage.
Forecasts indicate that Milton will weaken to a Category 3 storm upon making landfall on Florida's west coast on Wednesday evening. The storm is expected to traverse major cities such as Tampa and Orlando overnight into Thursday, continuing its path across the state.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has urged residents not to underestimate the storm's potential for destruction, even as it weakens. He emphasized that Milton will cause significant damage regardless of its category at landfall.
The first hurricane and storm surge warnings have been issued via email to residents in Pinellas, Manatee, Pasco, Charlotte, Citrus, and Hillsborough counties. These warnings highlight that Milton's impacts could range from devastating to catastrophic, with even sturdy buildings at risk of complete roof and wall failures. Some areas may become uninhabitable for weeks or months following the storm.
Residents are strongly encouraged to follow checklists provided by local or state emergency management departments to ensure they are adequately prepared for the impending hurricane.
Reference(s):
Category 5 storm Milton set to hit Florida in wake of deadly Helene
cgtn.com
