TAMPA — FIRST hurricane clock On Florida's west coast Monday morning, millions of people across the region prepared for the life-threatening effects of Hurricane Milton, including deadly storm surge, destructive winds and heavy rain. This message was posted.
Hurricane Milton continues to rapidly strengthen as it moves through the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) calls it a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher), with winds of 190 mph and reaching Category 3 strength.
“Portions of the west coast of the Florida peninsula face an increased risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind damage Tuesday night into early Wednesday.” NHC said.
A hurricane watch was issued along Florida's Gulf Coast from near the Cedar Key area south to Naples, including Tampa and Fort Myers.
A tropical storm watch was also issued for the Florida Keys, from Flamingo south of Chokolosukee, and for the Gulf Coast region from north of the Suwannee River to Indian Pass.
Storm surge warnings are also in effect along Florida's Gulf Coast, from north of Flamingo to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay.
The current storm surge forecast for Tampa Bay is for storm surge to be between 8 feet and 12 feet if the peak of the storm surge coincides with high tide. This is significantly higher than it was then. helenwhen a storm surge of 7 to 8 feet occurred in Tampa Bay.
Florida officials urge residents to evacuate ahead of Milton
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials held a press conference Sunday morning saying evacuations are likely and time is running out to prepare for the effects of a potentially deadly hurricane. He said that
“I urge Floridians to complete their storm preparations now. Execute your plan,” said Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
“I strongly urge you to evacuate. We are preparing for probably the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017, and I am preparing our state emergency response team. ”
If Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida, it will be the third such storm this season, following Debbie in August and Helen in September.
The situation was evolving rapidly, and NHC forecasters first designated the storm as Tropical Storm 14 early Saturday morning, then issued a special alert several hours later announcing the development of Tropical Storm Milton.
About 24 hours later, Milton intensified into a hurricane early Sunday afternoon.
The latest advisory from the NHC predicts that Milton will continue to strengthen rapidly, reaching Category 4 by Tuesday, but is expected to weaken slightly as it makes landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
However, forecasters warn that Milton is likely to continue hitting Florida as a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher).
DeSantis declares state of emergency ahead of Milton
The governor declared a state of emergency for dozens of counties on Saturday, but amended the order to include 51 of the state's 67 counties as the forecast for Hurricane Milton began to become more dire.
“This will allow state agencies to operate without the constraints of bureaucracy and will ensure critical resources are available to communities in advance of potential storm impacts,” DeSantis said Sunday. stated.
While residents continue to prepare for the potentially deadly effects of Hurricane Milton, the state is also “hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.”
DeSantis said the state has already sent high water rescue vehicles to Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and will send more supplies to counties affected by Hurricane Milton.
“The Florida National Guard, Florida National Guard, additional FDOT personnel, and the Florida Highway Patrol were activated and deployed to assist with debris removal and provide logistical support to local organizations,” DeSantis said. .
More than 800 Guard members have been deployed to clear debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen, and DeSantis said up to 4,000 Guard members will soon be available for time-limited debris removal. Ta.
An evacuation order was issued and schools were closed.
As the effects of Hurricane Milton approach Florida, authorities have begun issuing evacuation orders and closing schools to give people time to prepare and flee beaches and other low-lying areas.
DeSantis and Guthrie urged people to know if they are in an evacuation zone and be prepared for action.
“Know your evacuation zone,” DeSantis warned.
“Voluntary and mandatory evacuations will be implemented in many communities across Florida. If you are on Florida's west coast or barrier islands, consider that you will likely be asked to evacuate.”
Partial evacuations have also been ordered for parts of Pinellas and Manatee counties, and more evacuations are expected.
Additionally, schools in areas including southwest and central Florida have decided to close this week due to the hurricane forecast.
Hurricane Milton is located more than 1,265 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and is a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Gauge. Milton is moving east at 7 mph.
What areas are under warning or warning due to Hurricane Milton?
There are no watches or warnings in place for the continental United States, but the NHC said storm surge and hurricane watches are likely to be issued for parts of Florida either Sunday night or early Monday.
The Mexican government has issued a hurricane warning for the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Celestun to Cape Caboche, and a tropical storm warning from east of Cape Caboche to Cancun.
Where will Hurricane Milton go?
The NHC said Hurricane Milton is moving east and its overall movement is expected to continue.
An east-to-east-northeast motion is then expected on Monday, followed by an even faster northeasterly motion on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Along this path, Hurricane Milton is expected to move north through Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, cross the Gulf of Mexico, and approach the west coast of the Florida peninsula on Wednesday.
“While it is too early to determine the exact scale and location of the greatest impacts, the risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind damage has increased across parts of the west coast of the Florida peninsula since early Wednesday morning,” the NHC said. . .
