Hurricane Milton: Damaging winds and severe flooding forecast for Florida
US officials have issued a grave warning about the impending threat of Hurricane Milton, which rapidly escalated to a category five storm before reverting to a category four as it advances towards Florida.
With sustained winds reaching up to 155mph (250km/h), Hurricane Milton is currently moving past the northern edge of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has cautioned that potentially catastrophic storm surges could impact coastal areas.
The storm is projected to make a direct hit on the densely populated city of Tampa Bay on Wednesday, less than a fortnight after Hurricane Helene struck the state. Floridians are being urged to brace themselves for what could be the largest evacuation effort in years.
Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We have to assume this is going to be a monster.” The looming threat of Hurricane Milton follows closely on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which claimed the lives of at least 225 individuals in the US southeast, with Florida bearing a significant portion of the casualties.
Ken Graham, director of the National Weather Service (NWS), highlighted the unprecedented speed at which Hurricane Milton intensified, becoming a category five hurricane with wind speeds escalating by 80 knots (148km/h) within 24 hours.
As the storm progresses over the Gulf of Mexico, it is anticipated to weaken to a category three hurricane by the time it reaches Florida’s Tampa Bay on Wednesday evening or early Thursday. The NHC has issued warnings of torrential rain, flash flooding, life-threatening storm surges, and damaging winds along Florida’s west coast.
Evacuation orders have been issued in several counties, with tolls suspended on roads in western and central Florida. Long queues at petrol stations have been reported, and traffic congestion has surged by up to 90% above average in some areas.
School closures are set to commence on Tuesday, and airports in Tampa and Orlando have announced the suspension of flight operations due to the impending storm. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) has expressed optimism about the ongoing evacuation efforts.
The approach of Hurricane Milton coincides with the arduous clean-up efforts following Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread devastation in affected areas. President Joe Biden has authorized the deployment of additional troops to North Carolina to aid in relief operations, with federal assistance amounting to nearly $140 million.
As Florida braces for the impact of Hurricane Milton, the state remains on high alert, with residents and officials working tirelessly to mitigate the potential risks posed by the impending storm.
