Florida is bracing for Hurricane Milton’s impending landfall, triggering the state’s largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017. According to reports, as of Tuesday, Milton remains a powerful Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 kph), and is expected to strike the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday before moving inland toward Orlando.
A storm surge of up to 12 feet is predicted along the Gulf Coast, which could bring catastrophic flooding to the region. This would be the highest storm surge recorded for the area. Florida officials are urging residents to evacuate immediately to avoid the storm’s potentially deadly impact.
“This is the real deal here with Milton,” Tampa mayor Jane Castor said. “If you want to take on Mother Nature, she wins 100% of the time.”
In a shocking development, Hurricane Milton intensified rapidly from Category 1 to Category 5 in just a few hours on Monday. While it has weakened slightly, experts warn that this does not reduce the potential for extreme damage.
“We do not want people to see a reduction in the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale rating for Milton before landfall and think there will be less danger,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Jon Porter adding that “The storm will broaden out and increase in size, with a larger risk of life-threatening storm surge and powerful winds impacting more places and people across Florida.”
The dire warnings come just weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the southeastern US, including Florida, leaving more than 200 dead. With debris still scattered across many regions, Governor Ron DeSantis expressed concern about how the remnants of Helene could compound the damage from Milton. “There are some areas with a lot of debris… if hit by a major hurricane, it’s going to dramatically increase damage,” said DeSantis.
Florida’s emergency management director Kevin Guthrie urged residents to heed evacuation orders, describing this as likely the state’s largest evacuation since Irma. “I highly encourage you to evacuate,” Guthrie said, emphasizing the importance of taking immediate action.
Authorities have reassured residents that measures are in place to avoid a repeat of the chaos seen during the Irma evacuation. Emergency fuel stations and electric vehicle charging points will be available along major evacuation routes to prevent the long lines and fuel shortages experienced in 2017.
Fire service chief Jason Dougherty issued a stark warning for those considering staying behind: “If you remain there, you could die, and my men and women could die trying to rescue you. Help them by leaving.”
With Milton’s landfall looming and Florida under evacuation orders, residents are urged to prioritize their safety and leave vulnerable areas before the storm hits its full force.
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