Category 4 Hurricane Milton Bears Down on Florida, Triggering Mass Evacuations
As Hurricane Milton escalates to a menacing Category 4 hurricane, it’s on a trajectory targeting populous Florida hubs like Tampa and Orlando, bringing forth the looming threat of a perilous storm surge in Tampa Bay. This intensification raises concerns for potential large-scale evacuations, just under two weeks post the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Helene along the coastline.
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida emphasized the crucial need to clear up debris left by Helene before Milton’s onslaught to prevent them from transforming into hazardous projectiles. Despite encountering obstacles such as a locked landfill gate, efforts involving over 300 vehicles were swiftly assisted by state troopers to ensure the prompt removal of debris.
With sustained maximum winds reaching 150 mph (240 kph) in the southern Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Milton is anticipated to maintain its current strength over the following days, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The issuance of hurricane warnings for segments of Mexico’s Yucatan state, along with widespread hurricane and storm surge watches covering the majority of Florida’s west coast, underscores the gravity of the situation.
The storm’s projected course includes a potential landfall on Wednesday in the Tampa Bay region, potentially retaining hurricane status as it crosses central Florida towards the Atlantic Ocean. This trajectory is anticipated to primarily impact Florida, offering some respite to other states reeling from the devastating aftermath of Helene, which claimed numerous lives along its trajectory from Florida to the Appalachian Mountains.
Meteorologists caution of a significant storm surge ranging from 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.6 meters) in Tampa Bay, accompanied by the potential for flash floods and river inundations resulting from 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 centimeters) of rainfall across mainland Florida and the Keys, with localized areas facing up to 15 inches (38 centimeters) of precipitation.
(Via The Associated Press and up-to-date hurricane information)
