Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane two days before making landfall in Florida.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said the storm had become a Category 4 hurricane sooner than originally expected, and released an updated forecast on Monday.
Meanwhile, just two weeks after Hurricane Helen brought more than 200 deaths and devastation from Florida to the Appalachian Mountains, the state is heading toward population centers such as Tampa and Orlando, and the state is Preparations are underway for what could be the largest evacuation in seven years.
The storm moved through the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, solidifying its major hurricane status with maximum sustained wind speeds. 175According to NHC, it is miles per hour (249km/h).
Although fluctuations in intensity are expected, the National Weather Service said Milton is expected to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane until it makes landfall in Florida Monday afternoon.
Even if the storm weakens somewhat before landfall Wednesday or early Thursday, forecasters warned that the storm surge levels that would push Gulf Coast waters inland from the approaching hurricane would be in the maximum category reached.
Milton is likely to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday and remain a hurricane as it moves across central Florida and into the Atlantic Ocean. This course marks the 10th major hurricane of Category 3 or higher to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast since 2017.
According to CNN Meteorologist, Milton is currently the third fastest rapidly intensifying storm on record in the Atlantic Ocean. Milton's wind speeds increased by 90 mph within 24 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center. forecasterOnly two hurricanes have been stronger in 24 hours: Wilma in 2005 and Felix in 2007.
Experts attribute the frequency of such powerful and destructive storms to the climate crisis, fueled in part by the burning of fossil fuels.
in post Bill McKibben, a distinguished Schumann scholar of environmental studies at Middlebury College and co-founder of 350.org, told X that “22 hours ago Milton was a tropical storm,” but as of Monday, “It's a Category 5 hurricane,” he wrote. .
“This is what happens on a superheated Earth,” he said.
Hurricane expert John Morales gave an emotional report Monday on NBC, saying winds from Milton were gusting up to 160 miles per hour and growing stronger in the Gulf of Mexico, where water temperatures are at record highs. He explained.
“You know what's causing it…global warming and climate change are leading to this and increasing threats to the Yucatan Peninsula, including Mérida, Progreso and other areas,” Morales said, his voice breaking. spoke.
➡️ Now: Emotional Hurricane #milton Updated from @JohnMoralesTV As the storm attacks the cat. 5 status.
Please take this seriously.
I will introduce it here @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/QEe3E25JGX
— Chris Hush (@ChrisHushNBC) October 7, 2024
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meteorological authorities said Milton was expected to experience heavy rain and flooding Monday morning. life-threatening storm surge And strong winds. They also say it is likely to remain strong for several days after reaching its peak.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday that he didn't yet know exactly where Milton would strike, but it was clear the state would be hit hard.
“I don't think there's a scenario right now that wouldn't have a major impact,” he said.
“We have all day today, all day Monday, and probably all day Tuesday to prepare, to make sure that our hurricane preparedness plans are in place,” DeSantis said. “If you're on the west coast of Florida, on the barrier islands, expect to be evicted.”
Milton's status as a hurricane marks the first time since September that three hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic at the same time, said Colorado State University hurricane scientist Phil Klotzbach. Four hurricanes occurred simultaneously in August and September.
The St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay areas are still cleaning up the extensive damage caused by Helen and its powerful storm surge. At least 12 people died in Pinellas County, which includes St. Petersburg, as a result of Helen.
In late September, Helen flooded parts of Florida's west coast, with the worst damage occurring along a narrow 20-mile (32 km) chain of barrier islands that stretches from St. Petersburg to Clearwater.
This week, Pinellas County, as well as neighboring counties such as Hillsboro, Manatee and Sarasota, could see storm surges 8 to 12 feet above ground level, the National Weather Service announced. said on monday.
Weather officials forecast 5 to 10 inches of precipitation in parts of the Florida peninsula and Keys through Wednesday night, with localized totals up to 15 inches, leading to significant flash flooding, urban and regional It added that there was a risk of flooding. , with the potential for moderate to major river flooding.
DeSantis expanded the state of emergency to 51 counties and said Floridians should be prepared to travel and have a week's worth of food and water in case of further power outages and disruptions.
Monday, Joe Biden approved Florida has declared a state of emergency and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local response efforts due to the Hurricane Milton emergency.
Florida officials say they are preparing for the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017.
They asked people who live in homes built after Florida tightened regulations in 2004, don't rely on constant electricity, and aren't in evacuation zones to avoid roads.
Some areas of Florida, such as Charlotte County, Pinellas County, and Hillsborough County A mandatory evacuation order has already been issued. For some of the counties where more areas are expected to be issued. evacuation order on monday.
orlando international airport announced The company plans to suspend commercial operations on Wednesday morning and resume commercial operations as soon as it is safe to do so again. tampa international airport announced Flights will be suspended starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, and the St. Pete-Clearwater Airport will also be closed.
On Florida's east coast, authorities warned Major flooding, power outages, hurricane-force wind gusts, and total rainfall of 6 to 8 inches.
In some parts of Florida, as Mr. Milton predicted, school and university have Announcement of closure this week Wednesday and Thursday in anticipation of Milton's arrival.
As of Monday morning, hurricane, flood and storm surge watches were in effect for parts of the Gulf of Mexico and the west coast of Florida.
National Weather Service: “Milton will be a historic storm for the West Coast of Florida'' said.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
