Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified and is on course to threaten the Tampa Bay area, causing concern across Florida and triggering evacuation orders along the coast, which is still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s devastation.
Forecast models suggest that Milton could make landfall on Wednesday, maintaining hurricane status as it crosses central Florida and moves into the Atlantic Ocean. This path is expected to spare other southeastern states still grappling with the aftermath of Helene, which has already led to at least 130 deaths and widespread destruction.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made it clear that Milton is anticipated to have a significant impact on the state, stating, “I don’t think there’s any scenario where we don’t have major impacts at this point.” On Sunday afternoon, Hurricane Milton was centered approximately 815 miles west-southwest of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.
DeSantis urged residents to prepare their hurricane plans promptly, emphasizing that those living in vulnerable areas should be ready to evacuate.
Hurricane Milton Threatens Tampa Bay with Rapid Intensification, Sparking Evacuations and Widespread Concern Across Florida
In Pinellas County, home to St. Petersburg, local authorities have issued voluntary evacuation orders for residents living along barrier islands and in mobile home parks, with mandatory evacuations likely to follow as the storm approaches.
Notably, the occurrence of three simultaneous hurricanes in the Atlantic after September is unprecedented, underscoring the intensity of the current hurricane season and the concerns for residents along the Florida coast.
In response to the approaching storm, DeSantis expanded the state of emergency to 51 out of Florida’s 67 counties, impacting over 90% of the state’s population. Residents are being advised to prepare for potential power outages and disruptions to daily life.
FEMA has been working closely with state officials and has already mobilized substantial resources to assist Florida in its preparations for Milton. The Florida Division of Emergency Management is preparing for what could be one of the largest evacuations since Hurricane Irma in 2017.
As Milton approaches, local schools in St. Petersburg have closed classes from Monday to Wednesday, and city officials have opened garages for residents seeking to protect their vehicles from flooding.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, FEMA has mobilized thousands of troops and emergency personnel to aid recovery efforts and ensure resources are available for Milton. The agency is committed to addressing multiple disasters simultaneously, with extensive resources already in place, demonstrating a robust response to ongoing challenges faced by the region.
