Millions Evacuate in US and Mexico as Hurricane Milton Strikes: The Latest Updates on the Storm | US News

Hurricane Milton is poised to hit the US shortly after Hurricane Helene caused significant damage and loss of life across multiple states.

So, what do we currently know about Hurricane Milton and how will it impact those in its path?

Where is the hurricane now and when is it expected to reach the US?

Milton is currently moving towards the US at a speed of 9mph (14kph) and is drawing strength from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

It is projected to have winds of up to 129mph when it makes landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Florida’s west coast on Wednesday.

This region, with a population of over three million, has not faced a direct hit from a major hurricane in over a hundred years.

The hurricane also poses a threat to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, leading to evacuations of over a million people.

Fortunately, experts predict that Milton will weaken slightly before making landfall, and its trajectory through central Florida will spare the states previously affected by Helene just a fortnight ago.

What is the warning for storm surge?

As of Tuesday morning, Tampa Bay is under both a hurricane warning and a storm surge warning, with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warning of potential surges between three to four meters.

The NHC has indicated that peak storm surges will occur between the Anclote River and Englewood, spanning about 100 miles including Tampa and nearby islands.

An update stated, “The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.”

What measures are being implemented to safeguard residents?

Hundreds of thousands of residents in communities along the western Gulf Coast have been issued evacuation orders.

In Florida, this means that first responders are not expected to endanger their lives during the storm to rescue individuals who choose to stay.

“If you remain there, you could die, and my men and women could die trying to rescue you,” warned Hillsborough Fire Rescue Chief Jason Dougherty.

There was a significant increase in traffic congestion on Monday as Tampa Bay residents sought refuge in safer areas to the north towards the Florida Panhandle or southeast to Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

President Joe Biden has authorized an emergency declaration for Florida, and US Representative Kathy Castor mentioned that 7,000 federal workers were deployed to provide assistance in one of the largest mobilizations of federal personnel in history.

“This is a serious situation with Milton,” stated Tampa Mayor Jane Castor during a press conference on Monday. “If you try to challenge Mother Nature, she wins every time.”

How intense is Hurricane Milton?

Although Milton was downgraded to a Category 4 hurricane earlier today, forecasters stated that it still presents “an extremely serious threat to Florida”.

The storm rapidly intensified on Monday, reaching Category 5 status with sustained winds of 180 mph (285 kph) before being downgraded.

The most powerful Atlantic hurricane on record is Allen in 1980, with wind speeds reaching 190 mph (306 kph) as it passed through the Caribbean and Gulf before hitting Texas and Mexico.

Milton has become the third-fastest intensifying storm in the Atlantic Ocean, as reported by the US National Hurricane Center, and its unusual west-to-east path contrasts with the typical trajectory of Gulf hurricanes originating in the Caribbean before moving westward and northward upon landfall.

Wasn’t there recently another hurricane in the US?

Indeed, the area expected to be affected by Hurricane Milton was still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Helene just a dozen days ago.

Helene caused devastation in Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, resulting in at least 230 casualties along with extensive flooding and damage.