Hurricane Milton has quickly escalated to a Category 4 storm as of Monday, threatening major Florida cities such as Tampa and Orlando. The hurricane poses a significant risk of dangerous storm surges in Tampa Bay, prompting preparations for potential mass evacuations, just two weeks after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.
Unusual Formation
Hurricane Milton’s development is somewhat unusual, as it originated from the far western Gulf and is anticipated to traverse the entire southern Gulf region. Daniel Brown, a hurricane specialist at the center, noted, “While it’s not unusual to see hurricane threats in October along Florida’s west coast, it is less common for storms to form this far southwest and then make landfall in Florida. Typically, hurricanes that hit Florida in October come from the Caribbean rather than the southwestern Gulf.”
Current Storm Status and Path
According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Milton is expected to maintain its intensity over the next few days. At its peak, the storm is producing maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph) as it moves through the southern Gulf of Mexico. Forecasts indicate that Milton could make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday and may continue as a hurricane while crossing central Florida towards the Atlantic, potentially minimizing the impact on states still recovering from Helene, which claimed at least 230 lives along its destructive path from northern Florida to the Appalachian Mountains.
Early Monday, the center of Hurricane Milton was situated approximately 150 miles (240 kilometers) west of Progreso, Mexico, and around 735 miles (1,185 kilometers) southwest of Tampa. The storm was moving east-southeast at a speed of 8 mph (13 kph), as reported by the hurricane center.
Flooding and Storm Surge Risks
Forecasters have issued warnings of a potential storm surge of 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.6 meters) in Tampa Bay. Additionally, flash and river flooding could result from anticipated rainfall of 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 centimeters) across mainland Florida and the Keys, with localized areas possibly receiving up to 15 inches (38 centimeters).
Ongoing Recovery from Hurricane Helene
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay area is still recovering from the significant damage caused by Hurricane Helene, which resulted in the loss of twelve lives as it inundated the coastline. The most severe destruction occurred along the 20-mile (32-kilometer) stretch of barrier islands between St. Petersburg and Clearwater.
State Preparedness and Evacuations
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis remarked on Sunday that although the exact impact of Milton remains uncertain, it is evident that the state will face significant challenges. “You have ample time to prepare—throughout today, Monday, and likely all day Tuesday to ensure your hurricane preparedness plans are set,” DeSantis advised. “If you’re located on the west coast of Florida or in barrier islands, you should be ready for possible evacuation.”
Drawing on experiences from Hurricane Irma and other past storms, Florida is actively preparing by positioning emergency fuel supplies for gasoline vehicles and establishing charging stations for electric cars along evacuation routes, according to Kevin Guthrie, the executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. “We are gearing up for what is likely to be the largest evacuation effort since Hurricane Irma in 2017,” Guthrie stated.
Local Measures and School Closures
In response to the impending storm, all classes and school activities in Pinellas County, which encompasses St. Petersburg, were canceled from Monday through Wednesday. To assist residents in safeguarding their vehicles from flooding, officials in Tampa opened all city garages, advising that cars—especially electric ones—be parked on the third floor or higher.
DeSantis also mentioned that as many as 4,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to assist local crews with debris removal. He recalled crews previously sent to North Carolina after Hurricane Helene to return and prepare for Milton.
Rare Hurricane Activity
Additionally, with Milton reaching hurricane status, it marked a rare occurrence of three hurricanes—Milton, Leslie, and Kirk—active in the Atlantic at the same time, according to Phil Klotzbach, a hurricane scientist at Colorado State University. Both Leslie and Kirk are currently located far from land and do not pose an immediate threat.