As Hurricane Milton intensifies over warm waters and moves toward major population centers like Tampa and Orlando, Florida is preparing for what may be its largest evacuation in seven years.
As Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida in 2017, almost 7 million people were advised to leave the state. The migration congested highways, resulted in lengthy lineups at gas stations that were still selling fuel, and left evacuees disgruntled—in some cases, promising never to evacuate again.
The National storm Center said that early on Monday morning, Hurricane Milton was “moving erratically eastward through the southern Gulf of Mexico” and was probably going to intensify into a major storm later in the day.
With maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (144 kph) and a maximum easterly speed of 6 mph (9.6 kph), the storm was located approximately 220 miles (354 kilometers) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and 770 miles (1,239 kilometers) west-southwest of Tampa, according to the hurricane center.
Despite the wide range of forecast models, the most likely course is that Milton may make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday and continue to strengthen into a hurricane as it progresses through central Florida and out into the Atlantic Ocean.
That would mostly protect those areas in the Southeast that were devastated by Hurricane Helene, which wreaked havoc from Florida all the way up to the Appalachian Mountains and claimed at least 230 lives on Sunday.
The hurricane center advised the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys, and the northwest Bahamas to keep an eye on the system’s development.
In Florida, where forecasts predicted up to a foot (30 cm) of rain to fall in some parts until Wednesday night, heavy rainfall was predicted for Sunday ahead of the hurricane. This rainfall will probably combine with Milton’s downpour to flood streets and waterways.
Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, stated at a briefing on Sunday that Florida is setting up emergency fuel for gas cars and charging stations for electric vehicles along evacuation routes, building on lessons gained from Hurricane Irma and other past hurricanes.
“We are looking at every potential, possible location that can potentially house someone, as what we refer to in emergency management, as a refuge of last resort,” Guthrie continued.
Hurricane Milton is strengthening quickly, and by the time it hits the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast midweek, it probably will be a strong hurricane.
Although the exact location of Milton’s attack is unknown, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated on Sunday that it is certain the state would be severely impacted.
Phil Klotzbach, a hurricane expert at Colorado State University, said that since Milton became a hurricane, the Atlantic has never seen three hurricanes at the same time after September. In August and September, there were four hurricanes that hit at the same time.
The Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg region is currently repairing the massive damage caused by Hurricane Helene’s strong storm surge. As Helene flooded the coast, twelve people lost their lives; the area most severely affected was the 20-mile (32-kilometer) narrow chain of barrier islands that runs from St. Petersburg to Clearwater.
DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Sunday that covered 51 counties. He advised Floridians to stock up on food and water for a week in case of power outages and other disruptions, and to be ready to travel.
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DeSantis stated that up to 4,000 National Guard soldiers are assisting state teams in clearing debris, and he ordered Florida crews sent to North Carolina following Hurricane Helene to return in advance of Milton.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell defended her agency’s Hurricane response after Republican disinformation, fueled by former President Donald Trump, sent devastated towns into a state of disinformation.
Despite this, Criswell stated that the organization is getting ready for Milton even if it’s still unclear exactly where this week’s hurricane will pass over the Florida peninsula.
Since Hurricane Helene hit more than a week ago, federal disaster assistance has exceeded $137 million, according to FEMA, which represents one of the biggest staff and resource mobilizations in recent memory.
