Florida Residents Seek Safety as Hurricane Approaches

Hurricane Milton has strengthened to a Category 3 storm and continues to intensify as it approaches Florida’s Gulf Coast, which is still reeling from the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Helene.

Communities are rushing to clean up in anticipation of what could be Florida’s largest storm exodus in seven years. Officials are ramping up evacuation orders, closing schools, and issuing dire warnings about storm surges and widespread power failures.

As of 7 a.m. Monday, the National Hurricane Center reported that Milton boasts sustained wind speeds of 120 mph.

The storm, located about 750 miles west-southwest of Tampa and moving at 8 mph, is expected to reach Category 4 strength by Tuesday and make landfall Wednesday evening as a destructive and life-threatening Category 3 storm with winds of 120 mph. It is set to hit between Cedar Key and Naples, including the Tampa area.

Milton benefits from very low vertical wind shear and incredibly warm sea-surface temperatures, which will allow it to gain strength rapidly over the next few days. Its top sustained wind speed more than doubled from Sunday to Monday morning, exceeding the rapid intensification threshold of a 35 mph increase in 24 hours.

Miami, Orlando, and Tampa could receive 2 to 8 inches of rain through Thursday, while some areas may see more than 15 inches, according to the hurricane center.

Hurricane and storm surge watches are in effect for Florida, including Tampa Bay, as flood watches have been issued for over 15 million people across southern and central Florida through Thursday morning. Florida faces another storm even as it clears debris from Hurricane Helene, which struck the state’s Big Bend on September 26 as a Category 4 hurricane, killing at least 232 people and leaving a path of destruction spanning 500 miles with catastrophic flooding and damaging winds.

Milton formed in the western Gulf on Saturday morning, just hours after becoming a tropical depression, according to a special alert from the National Hurricane Center.

The 13th named storm of the season usually doesn’t appear until October 25. With many residents still recovering from Helene, officials are urging them to prepare for another potentially life-threatening storm.

Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Sunday for 51 of the state’s 67 counties, up from 35 on Saturday. The state’s Division of Emergency Management is preparing for the largest evacuation since 2017. Director Kevin Guthrie urged Floridians to finalize their storm preparations and evacuate if necessary.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has visited residents to encourage them to evacuate, stating, “Just go now. Beat the traffic and go to higher ground.” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody warned that residents who ignore evacuation orders should take steps to help authorities identify them in case of a tragedy.

Manatee County’s Anna Maria Island announced a mandatory evacuation order for residents starting Monday at noon. Evacuations for areas A and B will begin at 2 p.m. ET, and more than 500,000 people in Pinellas County could face evacuation orders.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri indicated officials would be “more assertive” in enforcing evacuation orders following the deadly impact of Helene, which killed 12 people in the county. “In the past, mandatory evacuation orders have been issued, and bars and restaurants stay open. That’s not going to happen this time,” he warned.

Authorities expect Milton could cause widespread power outages, potentially exceeding those from Hurricane Helene. DeSantis noted that residents have a couple of days to prepare for possible power interruptions, emphasizing the need to stay ready. He also mentioned that Milton could produce a greater storm surge in the Tampa Bay area than Helene did.

The town of Fort Myers Beach has warned residents to be prepared, offering sandbags for pickup at the town hall and advising against waiting too long to evacuate. The police department in Naples urged residents to avoid driving on flooded streets. The city of Sanibel has also encouraged residents and business owners to prepare for storm impacts and clear debris from drainage areas before heavy rainfall.

DeSantis ordered all disaster management sites to remain open 24/7 as the state works to remove debris left by Helene. State personnel and assets, including the Department of Transportation and the National Guard, are mobilized to assist local cleanup efforts.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the storm, stating that his administration will continue working closely with local and state leaders as communities brace for another potentially catastrophic storm.

Schools in the Tampa area, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, have announced closures through Wednesday as a precaution, allowing for the conversion of schools into evacuation shelters. The district emphasized the importance of safety for those still recovering from Hurricane Helene and urged residents in evacuation zones to consider utilizing school shelters.

Source: BBC