FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (AP) - Hurricane Milton strengthened to a Category 2 storm early Monday, prompting Florida to brace for one of its largest evacuations in seven years as it moves toward key population centers, including Tampa and Orlando.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported that Milton, intensifying over the southern Gulf of Mexico, triggered storm surge and hurricane watches for parts of Florida and a hurricane warning for Mexico's coast. Florida's Gulf Coast, previously devastated by storms, is expected to face another significant hit.
While forecast models vary, the most likely scenario has Milton making landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday. The storm could retain hurricane strength as it crosses central Florida and enters the Atlantic. This projected path would spare other southeastern states still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread destruction from Florida to the Appalachian Mountains, with a rising death toll of at least 230 as of Sunday.
Mexico's government has issued a hurricane warning for the Yucatan Peninsula, from Celestun to Rio Lagartos, according to the National Hurricane Center.
In 2017, around 7 million Floridians were urged to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Irma, leading to traffic gridlock, gas shortages, and frustration among evacuees. Many vowed not to evacuate again after that experience.
Florida's Preparations
Building on the lessons from Irma and other storms, Florida is pre-positioning emergency fuel and setting up charging stations for electric vehicles along evacuation routes, said Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. He emphasized the need to find emergency shelters or "refuges of last resort" as the storm approaches.
Milton, expected to become a major hurricane by Monday, was located about 195 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and 750 miles southwest of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. The storm is moving east-southeast at 8 mph.
Governor Ron DeSantis stressed that regardless of Milton's exact landfall, Florida will feel its effects. "There's no scenario where we avoid significant impacts," he said. Residents were urged to finalize their preparations by Tuesday, particularly those on Florida's west coast or barrier islands, who may be ordered to evacuate.
This marks the first time since September that the Atlantic has hosted three simultaneous hurricanes, according to Phil Klotzbach, a hurricane scientist at Colorado State University. Florida’s Tampa Bay area is still recovering from the destruction of Hurricane Helene, which claimed 12 lives and caused severe damage to coastal communities.
DeSantis expanded the state of emergency to 51 counties on Sunday and urged residents to prepare for widespread power outages and disruptions. He advised Floridians to have at least a week's worth of supplies on hand.
Evacuation Plans
Officials are preparing for the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Guthrie urged those in newer homes or not dependent on electricity to avoid clogging evacuation routes unnecessarily. In St. Petersburg's Pinellas County, schools closed in anticipation of Milton, and Tampa opened public parking garages for residents to protect their cars from floodwaters.
Meanwhile, 4,000 National Guard troops are assisting with cleanup efforts, and Governor DeSantis ordered Florida crews dispatched to North Carolina to return in preparation for the storm.
Federal Response
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell defended her agency’s response efforts amid political criticism, underscoring that FEMA is fully prepared to handle multiple disasters at once. FEMA has already deployed over 6,100 National Guardsmen and nearly 7,000 federal workers to assist with recovery from Helene, alongside military and logistical support, food, and water supplies.
President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to supporting storm-hit communities, stating, "My Administration is sparing no resource to help families as they begin their road to rebuilding."
As Hurricane Milton looms, FEMA, state, and local officials are working around the clock to protect Florida residents.
.jpeg)
0 Comments