Florida is preparing for Hurricane Milton, which could bring strong winds and serious flooding. The state has been told to get ready for its largest evacuation in years, as Milton approaches the Gulf Coast just ten days after Hurricane Helene caused significant damage and loss of life.
Hurricane Milton is currently off the coast of Mexico and has been getting stronger. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that it could threaten lives when it reaches Florida’s west coast in the middle of the week.
Milton has already intensified from a tropical storm to a hurricane and is expected to reach wind speeds of nearly 100 mph (155 km/h). It may become a major hurricane before making landfall near Tampa Bay on Wednesday. After that, it will move northeast across Florida and head toward the Atlantic Ocean.
The NHC has warned that high winds and heavy rain could lead to flash flooding, with some areas seeing up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain. As a precaution, Floridians are advised to have a “preparedness plan” for potential mandatory and voluntary evacuations, especially in places like Pinellas County, which was severely affected by Hurricane Helene.
Governor Ron DeSantis has issued emergency warnings for 51 counties and said that preparations are underway to restore power and clear roads after Milton hits. He noted that the state expects significant disruptions from the storm.
The situation is dire as clean-up efforts from Hurricane Helene are still ongoing, with hundreds of roads closed, making it hard to send aid to affected communities.
Hurricane Helene, which struck as a category four hurricane, has already led to at least 225 deaths across several states, including 14 in Florida alone.
The U.S. government has sent additional soldiers to assist with recovery efforts, and President Joe Biden has approved nearly $140 million in federal aid for the impacted areas.
This new hurricane presents yet another challenge for Florida, which is still grappling with the aftermath of Helene. The state’s emergency officials and residents are taking precautions to stay safe as Hurricane Milton approaches【BBC】.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crl8e084r9yo