Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida’s west coast as a Category 5 hurricane, with winds of 165 miles per hour and is located 480 miles away, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Milton, advancing through the Atlantic, is expected to make landfall in the coming hours, possibly weakened to Category 2, but remains extremely dangerous. Authorities have issued warnings for Florida’s east and west coasts, where heavy rains, storm surges of up to 4.5 meters, and destructive winds are anticipated.
The hurricane could cause severe damage in areas of Florida, including Tampa Bay, as storm surges of up to 15 feet are anticipated in the Tampa area, which could face its most severe impact in a century, following the damage caused by Helene 12 days ago. The cyclone is expected to cross the state and continue its course towards the North Atlantic. Meanwhile, millions of residents in coastal areas have received immediate evacuation orders to avoid the direct impact of the storm, considered one of the most destructive that could affect west-central Florida.
Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 51 counties, triggering one of the largest evacuations in the state’s recent history. Roads are jammed with vehicles, and authorities have suspended tolls and opened additional routes to facilitate residents’ departure. Supermarkets in cities like Tampa and St. Petersburg are practically empty as people purchase essential supplies.
Meteorologists, such as John Morales, have warned about Milton’s rapid intensification, which went from Category 1 to nearly Category 5 in less than 24 hours, leaving little time for the population to prepare. Morales emphasized the urgency of taking this storm seriously, as it grew alarmingly and could have devastating consequences for Florida.
