Hurricane Milton Becomes Catastrophic Category 5, Florida Braces for Impact
Florida, The Gulf Observer: Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm, threatening Florida with catastrophic winds and severe flooding just weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the state. Forecast to hit Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula before heading towards Florida, Milton’s maximum sustained winds have reached 285 km/h, making it one of the strongest hurricanes in recent history.
As Milton barrels eastward, Florida’s west coast is bracing for impact, with mandatory evacuation orders already in effect for areas including parts of the densely populated Tampa region. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of a potential storm surge of 2.4 to 3.6 meters, which could lead to devastating flash flooding, with rainfall expected to reach up to 38 cm in some areas.
Communities still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, which struck late last month as a Category 4 storm, are racing to clear debris that could become airborne during Milton’s landfall. David Levitsky, a retired resident of Treasure Island, expressed concerns over the remaining wreckage from Helene, stating, “All this stuff is just wind fodder that’s going to be blowing down the street and hitting who knows what.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has faced criticism for allegedly ignoring calls from Vice President Kamala Harris during Helene’s recovery, has been in contact with President Joe Biden regarding preparations for Milton. Harris, meanwhile, publicly criticized DeSantis for prioritizing political rivalry over Floridians’ safety, calling his actions “political gamesmanship.”
In Mexico, preparations for Milton’s approach have begun, with workers boarding up windows and fishermen securing their boats. Schools in the Yucatán Peninsula have been suspended as authorities brace for potentially devastating impacts.
Deanne Criswell, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), stressed the increasing threat of deadly flooding from hurricanes, stating, “These storms are bringing more water than they ever have, and so while we have the wind risk, the water is what’s killing people.”
Milton’s impending landfall marks a dire situation for a state still grappling with the aftermath of Helene, which claimed over 230 lives and left widespread destruction across several states. If it continues on its current path, Milton could become the most severe storm to hit Tampa in over a century.
