Florida’s Gulf Coast is bracing for the impact of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to bring near-record winds and a massive storm surge that could cause destruction to areas already recovering from previous devastating storms. The entire west coast of Florida has been placed under a hurricane warning as the Category 5 storm, with winds of 165mph, creeps towards the state at a slow pace of 9mph, fueled by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The storm’s center is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay region, which has not been hit directly by a major hurricane in over a century.
Scientists expect the storm to weaken slightly before landfall, but it is likely to retain hurricane strength as it churns across central Florida towards the Atlantic Ocean. This could spare other states ravaged by previous storms, which have left a trail of destruction and loss of life. The Tampa Bay area is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which killed at least 230 people and brought widespread destruction, and is also still rebuilding from Hurricane Ian, which devastated the region two years ago.
President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida, and around 7,000 federal workers have been mobilized to help in one of the largest mobilizations of federal personnel in history. The Tampa Bay area is under evacuation orders, and residents are being warned that anyone who stays will be on their own and that first responders will not risk their lives to rescue them at the height of the storm.
Hurricane Milton (Image via Getty)
The storm surge that is expected to accompany Hurricane Milton could bring water levels up to 12 feet, which would be a repeat of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Emergency management officials are warning that people who stay behind will be putting their lives at risk, and that the storm surge could cause widespread destruction and loss of life.
Meanwhile, residents are heeding evacuation orders and clearing out of the area, with some saying they are more prepared this time around after the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian. The storm is a stark reminder of the dangers and unpredictability of hurricanes, and the importance of being prepared and taking necessary precautions to stay safe.
