October 9th 2024.
Residents of Florida who are in the path of Hurricane Milton have been given a dire warning - it is now too late to leave. The Category 3 storm is quickly approaching the coast and officials are urging those in danger to stay indoors and stay updated on the situation. The National Weather Service in the US has stressed the importance of staying safe and avoiding any unnecessary risks.
The potential for fatalities among those who did not evacuate has been a major concern for officials. As the storm continues to grow in size, it has more than doubled since yesterday. Its tropical storm-force winds now extend 400km from its center, a significant increase from just 24 hours ago when it was only about 170km.
As of 3pm, the storm's center was approximately 193km southwest of Tampa and 177km west of Fort Myers. It currently has maximum sustained winds of 209km/h. The expected time of landfall is Wednesday night. According to CNN, Hurricane Milton has decreased to a Category 3 cyclone, but this is not expected to change the forecasted impact of the storm.
Milton has already made history by generating the most tornado warnings ever in a single day in Florida. So far, there have been 90 warnings issued, surpassing the previous record of 67 set by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Additionally, there have been 11 confirmed tornadoes caused by the storm.
Cathie Perkins, emergency management director in Pinellas County, has emphasized the severity of the situation. She warned those who experienced the impact of Hurricane Helene to prepare for an even stronger impact this time. "This is it, folks," she said. "If you were hit during Hurricane Helene, this is going to be a knockout. You need to evacuate now."
Although Milton's intensity has fluctuated as it approaches Florida, it was a strong Category 4 hurricane at midday on Wednesday and is expected to remain a major storm when it makes landfall. Tampa Bay, which sits on the peninsula that forms the bay, has not experienced a direct hit from a major hurricane in over 100 years.
Despite indications that Milton's center may come ashore south of Tampa, officials are warning residents not to feel relieved. Cathie Perkins stated, "Everybody in Tampa Bay should assume we are going to be ground zero." This is a sentiment echoed by many officials and experts, urging people to take the necessary precautions and evacuate if advised to do so.
Thousands of cars have been seen fleeing Florida ahead of the storm, but time for evacuations is quickly running out. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has highlighted the danger of the storm surge, which is forecasted to reach up to 4.5 meters in her city. She stated, "If you're in it, basically that's the coffin you're in."
Hurricane Milton is targeting communities that are still recovering from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which flooded streets and homes in western Florida just two weeks ago. In many coastal areas, local authorities are working tirelessly to clear debris and prepare for the storm's arrival.
In Punta Gorda, a bayside town about 160km south of Tampa, the streets are still filled with debris from Helene. Many homes remain vacant, but some residents, like accountant and art collector Scott Joiner, have chosen to stay. Despite the risk, Joiner is determined to ride out the storm in the home he built 17 years ago.
The famous Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which spans the mouth of Tampa Bay, and other major bridges have been closed in anticipation of the storm. Governor Ron DeSantis has deployed a wide range of resources, including 9,000 National Guard members, 50,000 utility workers, and highway patrol cars to escort petrol tankers to replenish supplies.
Despite these efforts, Governor DeSantis has acknowledged that there will likely be fatalities and urged people to take the necessary precautions. Heavy rain and tornadoes have already begun lashing parts of southern Florida, and catastrophic flooding is a major concern with 15 to 31 centimeters of rain expected inland.
Authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders for 11 Florida counties with a combined population of 5.9 million people. Those who choose to stay behind have been warned that they will be on their own, as first responders will not be able to risk their lives during the height of the storm.
Some residents, like Martin Oakes from Riverview, have chosen to tough it out and stay in their homes. However, others, like Evan Purcell from Anna Marie Island, have chosen to evacuate after experiencing the damage caused by Helene. The state and local governments have been working tirelessly to remove debris and prepare for the storm, but the threat of flying debris and severe damage remains.
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