Florida’s Gulf Coast is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, but now residents are preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Milton, which has rapidly intensified to a terrifying Category 5 storm.
Local and state authorities are working diligently to ensure communities are prepped and safe ahead of Milton’s impact.
Hurricane Milton’s Path
As of Monday morning, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Milton boasting maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, located about 735 miles west-southwest of Tampa. This storm has rapidly escalated from a lower category to Category 5 in just a few hours, a phenomenon described as “remarkable” by meteorologists.
NHC Director Michael Brennan labeled Milton’s intensification as “extreme” during a Monday briefing, noting it has occurred only twice since 2005. As of midday Monday, Milton is moving east at roughly 9 mph and is expected to pass north of the Yucatan Peninsula before heading toward Florida’s west coast midweek.
Evacuation Orders in Effect
In anticipation of the storm, several Florida counties, including Charlotte, Manatee, Pasco, Hillsborough, Sarasota, and Pinellas, have initiated evacuation orders since Sunday, particularly affecting certain residential facilities.
Residents are encouraged to check their evacuation zones and prepare to leave immediately if ordered, which may mean relocating just a few miles to safer locations.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expanded the emergency declaration to encompass 51 of the state’s 67 counties, advising residents not to underestimate potential impacts based on forecast models. He emphasized the necessity of immediate preparations, no matter where residents are located in relation to the predicted path.
The Florida State Guard is on the ground in Pinellas County to help clear debris left by Helene as Milton intensifies.
Preparing for Storm Surge
Communities along Florida’s Gulf Coast are in urgent preparations for Hurricane Milton. To assist evacuations and emergency operations, road tolls in west-central Florida have been suspended. School closures are expected in many areas starting Monday through at least Wednesday, with Florida Gulf Coast University moving to remote operations.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management is responding to numerous resource requests from various communities, distributing essential supplies and flood protection measures, especially to critical facilities.
DeSantis has stressed that clearing debris from Hurricane Helene is a priority, stating it’s vital to prevent further hazards caused by loose items during Milton’s impact. Residents are reminded to double-check their emergency supplies, especially if they depleted their stocks during the last storm.
Events Canceled Amid Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricane Milton has already led to the cancellation or rescheduling of various events across Florida.
All Allegiant Air flights at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport have been canceled for Wednesday and Thursday, while NASA and SpaceX have postponed their launch of the Europa Clipper mission initially scheduled for Thursday.
While Walt Disney World remains open for now, many other attractions, concerts, and sporting events are being hindered as residents and visitors prepare for the oncoming storm.
This consecutive onslaught of hurricanes poses an unprecedented challenge, as Milton marks the ninth hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, the fifth since late September, surpassing historical averages for this time of year. Notably, three simultaneous hurricanes are currently active in the Atlantic, with Kirk having weakened significantly.
