Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, is currently barreling towards the Florida coastline, prompting thousands to evacuate in fears of towering storm surges and extreme flooding. The storm had previously weakened to a Category 4 but has once again intensified to a Category 5, according to the US National Hurricane Centre. Residents in the Tampa area are fleeing, while crews work to clear debris left by Hurricane Helene to prevent dangerous projectiles during Milton’s arrival.
As Hurricane Milton remained offshore on Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula, it caused damage to power lines, light poles, trees, and small structures, according to Yucatán Governor, Joaquín Díaz Mena. The storm is forecasted to bring heavy rainfall of up to 46 centimeters as it moves towards the Atlantic Ocean and makes landfall on Florida’s central Gulf coast. The National Weather Service warns of storm surges up to three meters high when the storm hits late on Wednesday. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden have both issued warnings about the potential impact of Hurricane Milton, with Biden declaring it could be one of the worst storms in a century to hit Florida.
In response to Hurricane Milton, President Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida and postponed a trip to Germany and Angola to monitor the storm. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed nearly 900 staff members in the region, with two staging areas stocked with millions of meals and water supplies. The clean-up efforts following Hurricane Helene are still ongoing as Hurricane Milton approaches, with Governor DeSantis emphasizing the importance of clearing debris to prevent further damage to communities.
The back-to-back intensification of Hurricanes Helene and Milton highlights the impact of climate change on the frequency and severity of storms. Milton is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1st. As warm waters provide favorable conditions for these powerful storms, residents and authorities in Florida are taking precautions to mitigate the potential damage caused by Hurricane Milton. The rapid intensification of these storms underscores the need for continued preparedness and response measures in the face of increasingly severe weather events.
