Florida is bracing itself for what could be a “once in a lifetime storm”, as Hurricane Milton approaches its coast this week, while the state is still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The rapidly intensifying Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico is forecasted to make landfall in the heavily populated Tampa Bay area by Wednesday, potentially as a major hurricane, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
Residents in Florida have been urged to prepare for what could be the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s emergency management division, advised, “I highly encourage you to evacuate.” Hurricane Milton is on a path towards regions that were recently hit by Hurricane Helene, which struck northern Florida on 26th September. As of Sunday evening, Milton was approximately 780 miles away from Tampa, with sustained winds of 85mph.
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has issued a warning that the storm surge and power outages resulting from Hurricane Milton could surpass those caused by Helene, especially considering the existing debris. DeSantis expressed concerns, stating, “There are some areas with a lot of debris… if hit by a major hurricane, it’s going to dramatically increase damage.”
The ongoing intensification and trajectory of Hurricane Milton are closely being monitored as Florida prepares for potential impact. Stay updated for the latest developments on the approaching storm.