Florida is bracing for a “once-in-a-lifetime storm” heading toward its shores this week as Hurricane Helene still recovers.
Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to hit the densely populated Tampa Bay area on Wednesday, likely as a major hurricane, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Floridians have been asked to prepare for the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017.
“I strongly encourage you to evacuate,” said Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s department of emergency management.
Milton is moving into areas already devastated by Hurricane Helene, which hit northern Florida on September 26.
By Sunday evening, Milton was approximately 480 miles from Tampa, with sustained winds of 85 mph.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned that storm surge and power outages could exceed those caused by Helene, especially given the debris left behind.
“There’s a lot of debris in some areas… if a major hurricane hits, the damage will increase significantly,” Ron DeSantis said.
Highlights
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Hurricane Milton could become a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ storm, experts warn
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Map: Milton turns into a hurricane
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Florida braces for largest evacuation since 2017
Photos: Florida still in shambles as Hurricane Milton approaches
07:58 , Stuti Mishra
Florida will receive up to 15 inches of rain
07:23 , Stuti Mishra
Heavy rains are likely to impact Florida even before Milton makes landfall on Wednesday.
The Florida Keys and parts of the state’s peninsula could receive 5 to 8 inches of rainfall as the storm approaches, with local totals of up to 15 inches, according to the National Hurricane Center.
‘Debris could turn into missiles’ as Hurricane Milton targets area still reeling from Helene
06:56 , Stuti Mishra
Hurricane Milton’s threat to Florida is heightened as the state is still recovering from the devastation left by Hurricane Helene just days ago.
Experts warn that Milton, which is expected to make landfall in the middle of the week, could increase damage in regions already struggling with debris, weakened infrastructure and overstretched resources.
“There are some areas out there with a lot of debris, so if you get a major hurricane, what happens to that debris? The damage is going to increase dramatically,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.
AccuWeather chief hurricane expert Alex DaSilva warned that debris from Helene “could become airborne missiles or be swept away by floods and storm surge.”
Meteorologists warned that storm surge in Milton could surpass those experienced during Helene and urged residents to comply with evacuation orders.
“Rescue efforts during this storm will be incredibly dangerous, if not impossible,” Mr. DaSilva said.
Hurricane Milton could become a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ storm, experts warn
06:35 , Stuti Mishra
According to AccuWeather, Hurricane Milton could become a “historic, once-in-a-lifetime storm for Floridians.”
The private forecaster said Milton could bring some of the most devastating impacts seen in modern history as it moves toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, especially in the densely populated Tampa Bay area.
“Milton has the potential to be one of Florida’s most damaging and costly hurricanes,” said AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter; There are life-threatening hazards, including extreme storm surge of 10-15 feet and destructive winds.
AccuWeather experts rate Milton 4 out of 5 on the RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes.
The storm’s path remains uncertain, but small changes could dramatically alter its impact, meteorologists said.
If Milton moves further south, areas already devastated by Hurricane Ian’s storm surge, such as Fort Myers and Naples, could face even more devastation.
But a track further north could produce storm surges of up to 20 feet in parts of Tampa Bay.
AccuWeather chief hurricane expert Alex DaSilva warned that debris from Hurricane Helene could be deadly during landfall in Milton and urged residents to follow evacuation orders.
Florida braces for largest evacuation since 2017
06:05 , Stuti Mishra
Florida is preparing for its largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017 as Hurricane Milton moves toward the state’s west coast.
Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s department of emergency management, asked people to prepare for “most likely the largest evacuation we’ve seen since Hurricane Irma in 2017.”
“I strongly encourage you to evacuate,” he said at a news conference.
Officials are warning that more than 500,000 residents in Pinellas County, including St. Petersburg, could be ordered to evacuate starting Monday as the storm intensifies.
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said at a news conference that these may have been mandatory evacuation orders because so many people ignored orders for Helene, leading to 12 deaths in the county and 1,500 emergency calls going unanswered.
Evacuations of hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities began, affecting more than 6,600 patients; Schools will close at the beginning of this week.
Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall near densely populated Tampa Bay on Wednesday, could bring devastating storm surges and widespread destruction to areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Milton turns into a hurricane
05:44 , Stuti Mishra
According to the US National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday, transforming from a tropical storm into a Category 1 hurricane.
Milton’s sustained winds reached 85 mph (140 km/h) and was located approximately 780 miles (1,255 km) west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, moving east at 7 mph (11 km/h).
Forecasters warned that the storm could continue to intensify over the next few days and potentially reach major hurricane status before making landfall along Florida’s west coast by midweek.
05:21 , Stuti Mishra