Topline
Hurricane Milton intensified into a Category 5 Hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico late Monday morning as it barreled toward the Florida Gulf coast, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene killed at least 20 people in Florida before causing devastating flooding across parts of the southeastern U.S.
Hurricane Milton formed over the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.
Key Facts
According to the National Hurricane Center, Milton had maximum sustained wind speeds of 160 mph as of 11 a.m. EDT, qualifying it as a Category 5.
Milton is forecast to move near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula Monday and Tuesday, then cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of Florida by Wednesday.
Some weakening is expected before the storm reaches the Florida Gulf coast, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but Milton is “still likely to be a large and powerful hurricane at landfall in Florida, with life-threatening hazards at the coastline and well inland.”
The storm was about 730 miles west-southwest of Tampa as of 11 a.m. Monday.
Hurricane watches are in effect for the Florida Gulf Coast from Chokoloskee, about 90 miles south of Fort Meyers, to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay, and for Lake Okeechobee, about 40 miles inland from West Palm Beach.
Tropical storm warnings cover much of the same area in Florida, with the addition of the Florida Keys, and a storm surge warning is in effect near Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay.
A storm surge could raise water levls by as much as 12 feet in Tampa Bay and between the Anclote River and Englewood in Florida, and by between 3 and 10 feet in other parts of the state (the Hurricane Center warms the surge “will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves”).
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring 5 to 10 inches of rain, with localized totals up to 15 inches, across parts of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys through Wednesday night, which could cause “considerable flash, urban, and areal flooding,” according to the NHC.
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Crucial Quote
“If you’re on that west coast of Florida, barrier islands, just assume you’ll be asked to leave,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday.
What Impacts Did Helene Have On Tampa Bay?
Hurricane Helene was the hardest hit for the Tampa Bay area from a hurricane in 103 years, according to the Associated Press. Despite staying offshore, Helene inundated parts of the area with several feet of storm surge. Twelve people died in the Tampa area due to the surge, AP reported.
Surprising Fact
Milton will be the fifth hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. this year, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts 2024 will be one of the busiest hurricane seasons on record, estimating 8 to 13 hurricanes and between 4 and 7 major hurricanes.
Tangent
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, including all of the Tampa Bay area.
How Many People Will Be Evacuated?
DeSantis said Sunday evening a “flurry” of evacuation orders will be issued over the next 24 hours. “I don’t think there’s any scenario where we don’t have major impacts at this point,” DeSantis said, adding that people have “all day Monday, probably all day Tuesday” to ensure they have a hurricane preparedness plan in place. According to the Associated Press, Milton could trigger the biggest spate of evacuation orders in the state since 2017’s Hurricane Irma—where 7 million people were urged to leave their homes.
Key Background
Milton is expected to arrive less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene, a major Category 4 storm, hit Florida on Sept. 26 and traveled 500 miles across the Southeastern U.S., causing heavy flooding in the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee. At least 230 people across six states died as a result of the hurricane, which was the deadliest to hit the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005. Helene made landfall near Perry, Florida, approximately 160 miles north of Tampa, with winds of 140 mph before it was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved northward.
Further Reading
Trump FEMA Claim Debunked: Agency Not Running Out Of Money Because Of Migrants (Forbes)
Trump And Allies Claim Biden/Harris Response To Hurricane Helene Falls Short (Forbes)
