- Hurricane Milton intensifies to potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm
- The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges and heavy rains
- It comes just 10 days after Hurricane Helene devastated the US southeast – killing 225
- It is expected to make landfall on Wednesday
Hurricane Milton intensifies to potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm
Hurricane Milton has rapidly strengthened into a powerful Category 5 storm with winds up to 180 mph (285 km/h) as it heads towards Florida. Skirting the Yucatan Peninsula, the storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges and heavy rains. Tampa Bay is bracing for a direct hit on Wednesday, prompting Florida’s largest evacuation in years. Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to act quickly, describing Milton as a “monster.”
The warning comes just 10 days after Hurricane Helene devastated the US southeast, leaving 225 dead and hundreds missing. Florida, where 14 people were killed by Helene, now has 51 counties under emergency warnings. Evacuations began on Monday, with traffic congestion soaring and fuel shortages reported.
Milton intensified at record speed, becoming a Category 5 storm within 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service. It is expected to weaken to a Category 3 before making landfall, but dangerous storm surges of up to 15 feet and rainfall as high as 15 inches are expected across the state.
Airports in Tampa and Orlando have suspended flights, schools are closing, and officials warn of flash flooding from late Monday. President Biden is coordinating federal support, with over 1,500 troops deployed for storm response. Meanwhile, political tensions flared as Governor DeSantis reportedly refused calls from Vice President Kamala Harris during the crisis.
