Florida: Florida is gearing up for its largest evacuation effort since Hurricane Irma in 2017 as Hurricane Milton intensifies in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm, which escalated from a tropical storm to a hurricane, is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, potentially impacting the densely populated Tampa Bay area.
According to the US National Hurricane Centre, Hurricane Milton was approximately 780 miles (1,255 km) west-southwest of Tampa at 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday, with maximum sustained winds reaching 85 mph (140 km/h). The hurricane is currently moving eastward toward Florida at a speed of 7 mph (11 km/h). A hurricane watch is also in effect for the northern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s emergency management division, emphasised the urgency of the situation stating that, “I highly encourage you to evacuate.”
As the state prepares for Milton, concerns mount over the potential compounding effects of the new storm following Hurricane Helene, which made landfall further north on September 26. Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the risk of higher storm surges and increased power outages compared to Helene. “There are some areas with a lot of debris from Helene, which could dramatically increase the damage if Milton strikes,” Ron DeSantis noted.
In Pinellas County, which includes St. Petersburg, officials are likely to issue mandatory evacuations for over 500,000 residents in low-lying areas. The county has already ordered the evacuation of six hospitals, 25 nursing homes, and 44 assisted living facilities, affecting 6,600 patients. Local schools have been closed from Monday to Wednesday in anticipation of the storm.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch warned that recovery from Hurricane Helene, which killed more than 200 people across six states, would be exacerbated by Milton’s impact. “Remember, Hurricane Helene was 100 miles away from us, moving in a different direction. This is a powerful Category 2 or 3 hurricane headed directly for us,” Ken Welch said.
In response to the ongoing recovery efforts from Helene, President Joe Biden announced the deployment of an additional 500 active-duty troops to western North Carolina, bringing the total to 1,500. This support complements the efforts of 7,000 federal workers and 6,100 National Guard personnel already on the ground.
The Biden administration has approved $137 million in federal assistance, with more aid expected as economic damages from Hurricane Helene are projected to reach billions of dollars. The situation remains critical as Florida braces for the impact of Hurricane Milton.
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