What You Need to Know About Hurricane Milton
Monday, Hurricane Milton grew to a Category 5 storm with consistent winds of 180 mph as it raced over the Gulf of Mexico. Destined for what could be a catastrophic collision Wednesday along Florida's already storm-battered western coast, orders for evacuations have been issued, which has caused lengthy gas lines.
Three hours after issuing a warning, the National Storm Center reported that Milton had attained powerful wind speeds. The storm had "explosively'' strengthened to 175 mph. Over 24 hours, its wind speeds have risen by 95 mph; over 36 hours, by 130 mph.
Now roughly 675 miles from Florida, the storm rapidly progressed from Category 2 to 5 in a few hours Monday. According to the National Hurricane Center, by Tuesday, Milton's intensity "should be dictated by any eyewall replacement cycles, which will likely cause the system to gradually weaken but grow larger.
The center has issued hurricane watches across Florida and cautioned that damaging gusts and life-threatening storm surges could overrun some areas of the state.
Hurricane Helene Aftermath
Hurricane Helene, a category four storm, made landfall on September 26th and left destruction that has yet to be tackled. The death toll has risen to 227 since Saturday, as bodies continue to be found across six states in the Southeast, including Florida.
In certain parts of the state that were saturated even before Hurricane Helene slammed ashore less than two weeks ago, rainfall is predicted to be five to ten inches. The storm center predicted isolated places might even experience 15 inches. The NHC advised certain areas would be inundated with heavy rain far before Milton's arrival, most likely later on Tuesday through Wednesday night. Tampa and other coastal towns might experience a possibly fatal storm surge ranging in height between 10 and 15 feet.
Plans for Evacuation and Knowing When to Leave
Orders for several counties on Florida's west coast to evacuate are in place. Those include Charlotte, Citrus, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota. Also, Glades and Okeechobee counties are voluntary orders. The Florida Division of Emergency Management website lists all evacuation orders. For additional safety information, pay attention to local authorities' recommendations, including weather warnings. Even with the right preparations, category five hurricanes might make staying in your house dangerous.