Tropical Storm Milton rapidly intensified on Monday and became a Category 5 hurricane on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale. The element is heading towards Florida and threatens areas previously affected by Hurricane Helene. According to many meteorologists, Milton is currently the strongest storm in the world this year.
Milton quickly intensified over Gulf of Mexico waters. The National Hurricane Center reported wind speeds on Monday at 282 km/h, the highest category on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale. Center storm it was located approximately 700 miles (1,126 kilometers) from Tampa Bay on the west coast of Florida.
According to forecasts, the element may reach the bay around Wednesday. According to meteorologists, Milton may weaken slightly by then, but it will still pose a huge threat to the areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
“Don't wait, do it now”
Authorities in many Florida counties are urging residents to evacuate. In Manatee County, Florida, an expanded evacuation zone has been announced due to the arrival of Hurricane Milton.
– Evacuate. Don't wait, do it now. “We take Milton very seriously,” said Matt Myers, Manatee County Emergency Management Chief.
Jodie Fiske, director of public safety, said the storm could cause water levels in coastal areas of the county to rise by 8 to more than 10 feet.
Fisk said that due to the storm, the supply of drinking water to cities on the island will be interrupted from Tuesday, government offices will be closed from Tuesday to Friday, and all parks will be closed until further notice.
Florida Governor Warns
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Sunday that the state would be hit hard by Milton. He could potentially be more dangerous than Helene. – You have time to prepare, all day today, all Monday, probably all Tuesday. If you are on the west coast of Florida, on the offshore islands, you can assume that you will be asked to leave these places, the governor emphasized. On Monday, the city of Anna Maria, located on an island at the mouth of Tampa Bay, will be under a mandatory evacuation from noon. DeSantis on Sunday expanded the state of emergency to 51 of 67 counties, home to more than 90 percent of the state's nearly 23 million people. He added that four thousand National Guard troops are helping to clear tons of debris left by the previous Hurricane Helene. He ordered Florida crews sent to North Carolina to return to the state to prepare for the new disaster.
This could be the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma
Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie, quoted by Reuters, urged the community to prepare for “the largest evacuation we've seen probably since Hurricane Irma in 2017.”
“I strongly encourage you to evacuate,” Guthrie told Floridians during a news conference.
Although forecasts vary, the US news agency AP notes that Milton could make landfall on Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area. It will remain a hurricane as it moves through central Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean. According to a White House statement, President Joe Biden on Sunday ordered another 500 active-duty troops to come to the aid of North Carolina from the devastation caused by Helene, bringing the number to 1,500. Also involved are 7,000 federal employees and 6,100 National Guard officers.
Main photo source: NHC/NOAA