Hurricane Milton is rapidly intensifying as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, where it is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane. As of Wednesday, Milton had reached Category 4 status, following a period as a Category 5 storm.
The Tampa Bay area, home to over 3 million people, faces the brunt of the storm, marking a significant threat as the region has not seen a direct hit from a major hurricane in over a century. Other parts of Florida’s west coast, already damaged by Hurricane Helene just weeks ago, are also in Milton’s path, raising concerns about compounded destruction.
Florida residents in the Tampa area are fleeing ahead of the storm, while emergency crews work to clear debris from the earlier storm, Helene. The National Hurricane Center has warned that Milton is expected to bring dangerous storm surges, high winds, and torrential rain when it reaches the coast.
Officials are urging the public to be prepared for severe impacts, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis predicting a “major, major impact” from Milton.
The storm, with sustained winds of 155 mph, is anticipated to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. President Biden has postponed an overseas trip to monitor the situation closely, describing Milton as potentially one of the worst storms Florida has seen in a century.
Hurricane Milton Strengthens to Category 4, Threatening Florida with Severe Storm Surges and Heavy Rainfall
Hurricane warnings have been extended along Florida’s Gulf Coast and the East Coast as well, with forecasters expecting Milton to maintain its strength as it crosses the state.
This year’s hurricane season has been particularly unusual, with scientists noting it as one of the most irregular on record. Though the season started off with high expectations for activity, there was an unexpected lull for a month.
However, a rapid surge of hurricanes, including Milton, in early October has broken records. The unpredictability of the season, combined with the intensity of storms like Milton, has raised concerns about the increasing impact of climate change on hurricane patterns.
Damage from Hurricane Milton is expected to be severe, especially along Florida’s Gulf Coast, which is highly susceptible to storm surge. Forecasters have warned that Tampa Bay could experience a surge as high as 10 to 15 feet, the highest ever predicted for that area.
This has led to widespread evacuation orders, particularly for low-lying areas and mobile homes. In addition to the storm surge, heavy rainfall is forecasted, with some areas potentially receiving up to 18 inches of rain as Milton crosses central Florida on its way to the Atlantic Ocean.
The storm has also disrupted travel across the state, with major airports in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Orlando halting operations in anticipation of the hurricane. Popular theme parks in Orlando, such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, have closed their doors as part of precautionary measures.
Meanwhile, the search for gasoline has become another source of stress, as many stations are running out of fuel due to high demand and panic buying. Despite these challenges, officials are working to ensure fuel supplies continue to flow into the state as the storm approaches.
