The state of Florida, in the southeastern United States, prepared on Wednesday for the arrival of powerful Hurricane Milton amid warnings of heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge that could put life at risk.
Forecasters said the center of the storm was expected to make landfall Wednesday night on Florida’s west-central coast. That region includes Tampa Bay, a city of 3.3 million people that has not been directly hit by a hurricane since 1921.
“Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record in west-central Florida,” the US National Hurricane Center said.
Early Wednesday, the system was centered about 250 miles (405 kilometers) southwest of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), according to the hurricane center. It was moving northeast at 26 km/h (16 mph) and was expected to maintain that direction with an increase in its speed throughout the day, until hitting Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Highway signage announces the imminent arrival of Hurricane Milton and evacuation zones on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Port Richey, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
There was particular concern about storm surge, rising water levels driven primarily by the storm’s strong winds as it moves toward the coast. The Hurricane Center said storm surge levels could reach 3-4.5 meters in areas near where the eye of the storm makes landfall.
Storm surge warnings were in effect Wednesday for nearly the entire west coast of the Florida peninsula, which spans 500 kilometers.
Thousands of fleeing cars jammed Florida highways ahead of the storm, but time to evacuate was running out Wednesday. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned that a 15-foot (4.5-meter) storm surge could swallow an entire home.
“So if you’re in there, that’s basically your coffin,” he said.
Heavy precipitation was beginning to spread Wednesday morning across parts of southwest and west-central Florida ahead of the storm’s arrival, and the weather was expected to worsen along Florida’s entire Gulf Coast during the day. Forecasts were for 6 to 12 inches (15 to 31 cm) of rain, possibly as much as 18 inches (46 cm) in some places, in central and northern Florida through Thursday.
That increased the risk of catastrophic, life-threatening flooding and moderate to severe river overflows. On Wednesday morning, several tornadoes occurred in central and southern areas of the state.
Forecasters expected the system to retain hurricane strength as it moved across central Florida on Thursday on an easterly path toward the Atlantic Ocean. The exact route remained uncertain, and experts on Tuesday moved their estimate slightly south of Tampa.
“Evacuate now, now, now,” US President Joe Biden advised Florida residents Tuesday from the White House. The president has canceled this week’s trips to Germany and Angola to remain in the United States and oversee preparations and the response to Milton, the White House said.
Milton will likely be “a monster,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday. He urged Florida residents to pay attention to weather forecasters’ reports and follow local evacuation orders.
The governor said Florida is preparing to activate 8,000 National Guard members to help with the Milton fallout.
Dozens of emergency shelters are ready for people who need them, and one location in Florida has capacity for 10,000 people, according to the governor. However, DeSantis said the shelters are “designed to be a shelter of last resort.”
Authorities have issued evacuation orders for 11 Florida counties with a total population of 5.9 million people, according to US Census estimates.
Authorities have warned that anyone left behind should fend for themselves, as emergency workers are not expected to risk their lives attempting rescues at the height of the storm.
Milton’s arrival in Florida comes just two weeks after Hurricane Helene hit the state. DeSantis said Tuesday that Florida Department of Transportation trucks have removed 1,300 truckloads of debris from Helene in just over 48 hours. He said removing a “huge, huge amount” of debris will prevent further damage.
[Con información de Reuters, The Associated Press y Agence France-Presse]
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channels YouTube, WhatsApp and to the newsletter. Turn on notifications and follow us on Facebook, X e Instagram.
