As Hurricane Milton bears down on the Tampa Bay region of Florida, authorities are warning of a once-in-a-century direct hit that could bring towering storm surges and turn debris from recent devastation into deadly projectiles. The Category 4 hurricane’s center is expected to come ashore on Wednesday night, posing an extremely serious threat to the populous area with a population of over 3.3 million people.
Florida’s west coast is under a hurricane or tropical storm warning, with the storm’s 150 mph winds spinning just off Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, drawing energy from the Gulf of Mexico’s warm waters. The National Hurricane Center has downgraded Milton, but forecasters warn of an extremely strong and dangerous storm as it approaches the west Florida coast.
Residents are advised to heed evacuation orders and follow guidance from local officials. Governor Ron DeSantis assured that there would be enough petrol for cars to fuel evacuation, and that it’s not necessary to evacuate hundreds of miles away. However, some residents, like Martin Oakes and Ralph Douglas, are choosing to stay and ride out the storm, citing concerns about running out of petrol or getting blocked by debris.
Hurricane Destruction Looming Over Tampa Bay (Image via Getty)
The state has been working around the clock to remove wreckage from Hurricane Helene before Milton strikes, deploying over 300lorries that have removed 1,200 loads of debris. Rubbish trucks are also in action, picking up mounds of debris along deserted streets.
As the storm approaches, the National Hurricane Center warns of a 15-foot sea surge at Tampa Bay, leading to evacuation orders for beach communities along the coast. In Florida, those who stay behind will be on their own, and emergency services personnel will not risk their lives to rescue them at the height of the storm.
The state has already helped evacuate over 200 healthcare facilities in Milton’s path, and more than 30 county-run shelters are open. The storm is expected to cross central Florida, dumping as much as 18 inches of rain, and largely sparing other states ravaged by Helene.
Tampa Bay has not been hit directly by a major hurricane since 1921, and authorities fear its luck is about to run out. President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida, and the White House announced that he will postpone a trip to Germany and Angola to monitor the storm.
Residents are advised to take this storm seriously and heed all evacuation orders. As Governor DeSantis warned, “It’s a matter of life and death.”
