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As Hurricane Milton intensifies into a Category 5 storm, Florida’s Gulf Coast scrambles to brace for impact. Just weeks after the devastating Hurricane Helene, which left much of the region in disarray, residents and officials are rushing to evacuate and clear debris before Milton makes landfall. According to the Associated Press, evacuation orders have been issued across the Tampa Bay area, as workers race to remove debris left by Helene to prevent it from becoming deadly projectiles.
- Hurricane Milton has intensified to a Category 5 storm, with sustained winds of 180 mph, prompting widespread evacuations across Florida’s Gulf Coast.
- Florida officials are racing to clear debris left by Hurricane Helene to prevent it from becoming dangerous projectiles as Milton approaches.
- The National Hurricane Center predicts an unprecedented storm surge of 8-12 feet in Tampa Bay, along with potential flooding from up to 15 inches of rain.
- President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing 7,000 federal workers to assist in what is one of the largest disaster responses in U.S. history.
- Scientists warn that the warm Gulf of Mexico waters have contributed to Milton’s rapid intensification, making it one of the strongest hurricanes in recent memory.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the urgency, stating that over 300 vehicles were deployed to assist with debris collection ahead of the storm’s arrival. Milton’s landfall is expected Wednesday, with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warning of potential storm surges between 8 and 12 feet—the highest ever recorded for Tampa Bay. As USA Today reported, Milton’s sustained winds have reached 180 mph, marking it as one of the most powerful storms to threaten the region in recent memory.
Experts fear Tampa Bay could see catastrophic damage. The area, home to more than 3.3 million people, has not faced a direct hurricane hit in over a century. The unusually warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico have contributed to Milton’s rapid intensification, with meteorologists noting its swift rise from 120 mph to 180 mph within hours, Spectrum reported.
As of Monday, many residents are leaving their homes in search of safety, though some, like Belleair Beach resident Tanya Marunchak, are debating whether to stay. “We lost all our cars and furniture in Helene, but my husband thinks our three-story house can withstand Milton,” she shared with AP reporters. The memory of Hurricane Irma in 2017, which prompted the evacuation of 7 million Floridians, has some reluctant to go through the ordeal again. Still, many heed the warnings, evacuating with what little they can salvage from previous storms.
President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida, ensuring federal aid and the mobilization of 7,000 workers to help in one of the largest storm responses in U.S. history. The storm could bring up to 15 inches of rain, threatening widespread flooding in both mainland Florida and the Florida Keys. Airports in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Orlando are also preparing to close, while schools are converting to emergency shelters.
Milton’s rapid intensification is a cause for concern. According to Spectrum, Hurricane Hunter aircraft are expected to provide more data on the storm’s intensity. Scientists expect Milton to undergo an “eye wall replacement cycle” that could temporarily reduce wind speeds but increase the storm’s overall size, which will likely expand the region of destruction.
As Florida braces for Milton’s arrival, residents like Candice Briggs are overwhelmed by the constant threat. After her family’s home in Seminole was submerged during Helene, Briggs shared her exhaustion with AP: “We’re safe, but the emotional toll is hard to describe. We’ve barely cleaned up from the last storm.”
Further south, in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, evacuation efforts are underway for coastal residents and tourists, who face potential brushes with Milton before it moves toward Florida. As AP noted, many residents lined up for evacuation ferries, hoping to escape the storm’s wrath.
Hurricane Milton’s threat underscores the intense hurricane season Florida has faced, with scientists predicting that its effects could be catastrophic for the Gulf Coast. While it is still uncertain where the eye will make landfall, preparations must be finalized by Tuesday to protect lives and property.