The tropical storm, Milton, has been downgraded to a Category 4 hurricane, but it remains a formidable force that could bring a once-in-a-century direct hit to the Tampa Bay region of Florida. The storm surge could reach as high as 15 feet at Tampa Bay, prompting evacuation orders for beach communities along the coast. With the storm expected to remain strong as it crosses Florida, the hurricane warnings were extended to parts of the state’s east coast. Florida’s west coast is under a hurricane or tropical storm warning, with the storm’s 150 mph winds spinning just off Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.
Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered the evacuation of areas adjacent to the bay and all mobile and manufactured homes, with residents advised to fuel up their cars in case they need to evacuate. DeSantis assured residents that there would be enough petrol available to fuel their cars for the trip, adding that they do not have to evacuate hundreds of miles away, but rather can take tens of miles to seek safety.
Resident Martin Oakes, of Apollo Beach, said he plans to tough it out, citing his preparedness with shutters and a ready house. His neighbor, Ralph Douglas, agreed, expressing concerns about running out of petrol or getting blocked by debris. DeSantis noted that the state is working around the clock to remove debris from Hurricane Helene before Milton strikes, to avoid the risk of flying pieces of debris.
Hurricane Milton (Image via Getty)
The National Hurricane Centre forecasted that Milton would cross central Florida, dumping as much as 18 inches of rain while heading toward the Atlantic Ocean. This would largely spare other states devastated by Helene, which killed at least 230 people on its path from Florida to the Appalachian Mountains. The storm’s path would once again put Tampa Bay in the spotlight, a region that has not been directly hit by a major hurricane since 1921.
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida, and the White House announced that he would postpone a trip to Germany and Angola to monitor Milton, given the storm’s projected trajectory and strength. Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, urged residents to listen to local officials and get out of harm’s way, stating that people do not need to move far, just inland.
As the storm approaches, authorities are struggling to clear roads and debris, with some 260 tons of debris hauled away on Monday alone. Emergency services personnel are not expected to risk their lives to rescue those who stay behind at the height of the storm. The state has helped evacuate over 200 health care facilities, and over 30 county-run shelters are open. With the storm’s projected path and strength, officials are urging residents to take action to protect themselves and their families, as the clock ticks down to the hurricane’s expected landfall.
