Two prophetic simulation videos, first released in a decade, have resurfaced showing how a massive Category 5 hurricane eerily similar to Milton could plow into Tampa, leaving the region in a state of apocalyptic destruction. I'm drawing.
The first video, called Project Phoenix, was released in 2009 and combined realistic weather forecasts with archived video footage to show how a theoretical once-in-a-lifetime hurricane like Milton could be It is expected to hit Tampa sometime between late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. – Enters the Tampa area. Forecasters warned that Milton could experience a catastrophic storm surge with more than 10 feet of water.
“What would happen if a Category 5 hurricane hit the Tampa Bay area? How would things unfold, and what would the region look like in the storm's aftermath?” the creators ask on their website.
Category 4 Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida
Mock Hurricane Phoenix in the Gulf of Mexico. Two prescient training videos released for the first time in a decade have resurfaced, depicting a Category 5 hurricane eerily similar to Milton plowing into Tampa, leaving the region devastated. (Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council)
This catastrophic scenario leaves more than 160 people dead, 30,000 missing, and more than 300,000 residents seeking shelter. The hurricane destroyed homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, buried the region under 48 million tons of debris, and caused approximately $200 billion in property damage.
The video was produced by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC), a group of local governments, and was created to help small businesses and emergency management agencies plan for worst-case scenarios in the event of a disaster.
Four years ago, TBRPC released an updated version of the exercise called “Project Phoenix 2.0: The Recovery.”
The latest video simulates small businesses in the Tampa Bay area preparing for Hurricane Phoenix, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico on October 14, about a week after Milton hit.
“Mandatory evacuations are in effect for all coastal areas, and forecasters say this storm could be one of the strongest to ever hit the Tampa Bay area.”News said one of the anchor narrators.
Florida hurricane chaser says Milton prompted 'race' to evacuate residents
Flooding up to two stories high at Tampa General Hospital depicted in mock video. The simulated storm follows a destructive path eerily similar to Hurricane Milton. (Hurricane Phoenix Tampa General Hospital)
“Guys, unfortunately this is the worst-case scenario unfolding in the Tampa Bay area. Phoenix is now a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. Wind speeds up to 200 mph,” wrote another. the newscaster says. “It's devastating, it's historic, and unfortunately it's moving straight into our region right now.”
The moment of impact is then shown in computer-generated imagery (CGI), depicting a 6-foot storm surge and storm surge, submerging the city's downtown and leaving cars and debris adrift. Storm surge reached the second floor of Tampa General Hospital, and footage showed the building's roof being blown off.
“St. Petersburg is now essentially an island,” the news-reader said in a four-minute video.
The aftermath of the storm is then followed by real footage of the destruction caused by Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Florida in 2018, with the video asking, “How do we begin to rebuild?”
In the longer version of the video, we interview business owners who experienced the effects of Hurricane Michael and share first-hand suggestions and recommendations on how to prepare the Tampa Bay area for Hurricane Phoenix whenever it comes.
“The devastation in this area is almost unimaginable,” says the newsreader.
“The Howard Franklin Bridge was completely destroyed. I've never seen anything like it,” another narrator is heard saying.
The aftermath of a simulated Hurricane Phoenix. (Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council)
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TBRPC invites readers to host training exercises with the small business community, and training webinar videos are also posted on the website. The group also provides interactive maps to help prepare for evacuation and disaster response efforts.
“Prevent panic and confusion by ensuring everyone knows where to go and what to do in an emergency, whether at home or at work,” the guidelines say.
The site also offers tips on how to communicate effectively during a potential disaster, as well as advice on taking first aid and CPR courses.
Milton is expected to bring devastating and life-threatening flash flooding and urban flooding to Florida. The incident came after the state was hit by Hurricane Helen in late September, which brought devastating flooding and storm surge to the southeast, causing deaths. At least 232 people in six states.
