Florida is facing a daunting challenge as Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified into a dangerous Category 5 storm, with wind gusts reaching up to 180 mph (285 km/h).
Hits Land Wednesday
As the storm approaches, meteorologists warn of potentially catastrophic conditions along the coast, with Tampa Bay, a densely populated city, expected to bear the brunt of the impact on Wednesday.
Governor Ron DeSantis has urged residents to prepare for what is anticipated to be the largest evacuation effort the state has seen in recent years, emphasizing that time is running out for safe evacuations. "We have to assume this will be a monster," he stated during a press conference.
Milton marks the second major hurricane to strike Florida within just two weeks. This follows Hurricane Helene, which devastated the southeastern United States and was deemed the deadliest storm since Katrina in 2005, claiming at least 225 lives, with hundreds still missing.
Governor DeSantis reported that at least 14 fatalities from Helene occurred in Florida, where 51 out of 67 counties are currently under emergency warnings as Hurricane Milton approaches.
Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa noted the unprecedented nature of the storm. "We haven't had a direct hit this powerful in over a century," she said, adding that previous hurricanes had led to complacency among residents. "Helene woke everyone up to reality. In my time in Tampa, I have never seen such damage."
Rainfall and flash flooding are expected
As Hurricane Milton moves towards the U.S. at a speed of about 9 mph (15 km/h), forecasters predict storm surges reaching heights of 13 feet (4 meters), potentially affecting 15 million residents along Florida's coast.
Ken Graham, director of the National Weather Service, confirmed that Milton's rapid intensification has set a record, with wind speeds increasing by 80 knots (148 km/h) in just 24 hours.
According to the National Hurricane Center, hurricanes are categorized based on wind speed, and those reaching Category 3 and above are classified as major hurricanes due to their potential for significant destruction.
Rainfall and flash flooding are expected to begin affecting parts of Florida on Monday evening, with life-threatening storms and strong winds forecasted for late Tuesday into early Wednesday along the western coast.
Counties have started issuing evacuation orders, with tolls suspended on roads in western and central Florida. Long lines have formed at gas stations in southern Florida, with reports of some stations running out of fuel. Traffic congestion in certain areas has surged by as much as 90% above average.
Keith Turi, a spokesperson for FEMA, expressed optimism about the evacuation efforts. "I'm encouraged by the amount of evacuation happening right now.
This is actually a good sign." Parts of Pinellas County, where at least 12 fatalities occurred due to Hurricane Helene, are now under evacuation orders. Tampa and Orlando airports announced the suspension of flight operations starting Tuesday in response to the approaching storm.
