Hurricane Milton, a formidable Category 4 storm, is on course to land on Florida’s western Gulf Coast late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. As of 8 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, the storm was centred 250 miles southwest of Tampa, moving northeast at 16 mph with sustained winds reaching 155 mph.
Meteorologists and officials are issuing urgent warnings as Hurricane Milton approaches, expecting widespread devastation from the storm.
- Storm Surge: A life-threatening storm surge of 10 to 15 feet is forecast along Florida’s Gulf Coast, particularly in Tampa Bay, putting low-lying and coastal communities at significant risk of flooding.
- Hurricane-Force Winds: Powerful winds capable of causing severe structural damage, downing trees, and triggering widespread power outages are anticipated to sweep across coastal areas and extend far inland, impacting central Florida. These winds could persist for days.
- Flash Flooding: Milton is expected to bring torrential rainfall across the Florida peninsula, potentially causing catastrophic flash flooding in various areas.
- Tornadoes: The storm may also spawn several tornadoes across the Florida Peninsula as it progresses inland.
In preparation for Milton’s landfall, Florida has initiated large-scale evacuations and preemptive measures:
- Mandatory evacuations have been issued for vulnerable coastal regions, especially around Tampa Bay.
- Flights have been cancelled at several Florida airports.
- Schools across multiple counties, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe, have closed in anticipation of the storm.
A Historic Threat
Meteorologists are stressing Hurricane Milton’s historic nature. The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay called it potentially “the worst storm to impact the Tampa Bay region in more than 100 years.” This comes less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene struck parts of Florida.
Residents in the storm’s path are urged to heed evacuation orders and complete preparations as Milton approaches. The next 24 hours will be critical as Florida braces for the storm’s landfall and its dangerous effects.
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