As Florida prepares for another potentially catastrophic hurricane, the state finds itself in a tense waiting game.
With memories of past storms still fresh in residents’ minds, authorities are once again sounding the alarm. Hurricane Milton, a rapidly intensifying storm, is on track to hit the state in the coming days, and fears are growing about the devastation it could bring.
The question on everyone’s mind isn’t just how big the storm will be, but whether Florida is truly prepared for what’s to come. Will history repeat itself with another massive evacuation, or will this storm leave a different mark?
As officials scramble to implement evacuation orders and emergency plans, Milton’s true impact remains uncertain — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Authorities have begun issuing evacuation orders as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, prompting the state’s governor to declare a state of emergency for several counties.
While states in the southeastern United States are still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, Florida must prepare for another major tropical storm. According to both the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Florida’s west coast as early as midweek (the week of October 7).
The threat of life-threatening storm surges and damaging winds from Hurricane Milton continues to increase, with impacts expected to hit parts of Florida’s west coast beginning late October 8 or early October 9.
The NHC warns that before Hurricane Milton makes landfall, Florida will experience periods of heavy rain on Monday (today), Tuesday (October 8), and Wednesday night. According to the latest NHC report, this rain brings the risk of significant flash flooding, urban flooding, and even medium to large rivers.
The Yucatán Peninsula in northern Mexico is also bracing for tropical storm and hurricane conditions, with current watches in effect. The NHC said Milton is expected to bring rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches to the northern Yucatan Peninsula.
In addition to providing critical information on Hurricane Milton, the NHC issued a detailed bulletin, including a storm, hurricane, e, and tropical storm watch for various parts of Florida.
A hurricane watch is in effect for areas such as Tampa Bay, the DrTortugasug,s, and regions north of the Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwannee River. A storm surge watch was also announced from Flamingo to the Suwannee River, Tamp, B ay, and Charlotte Harbor.
Tropical storm watches include areas west of the Suwannee River to Indian Pass, as well as parts of the Florida Keys, Florida, Bay, and other regions. This watch indicates that adverse weather conditions can be expected during the next 48 hours.
The NHC bulletin highlights the expected effects of Hurricane Milton, including a storm surge that could raise water levels 2 to 4 feet above normal along the northern Yucatan Peninsula. Dangerous waves are also expected. If the tide coincides with the high tide, some typically dry areas could experience flooding that could reach up to 12 feet in some places.
In Tampa Bay, waves could reach 8 to 12 feet, while Charlotte Harbor saw 5 to 10, feet, and other areas, such as from the Anclote River to Englewood, could see similar surges of 8 to 12 feet.
With the storm fast approaching, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expanded the state of emergency to 51 counties from the original 35 counties as the strengthenedgthens.
Governor DeSantis’ executive order notes, “The amendment to Executive Order 24-214 is necessary because recovery efforts and those affected by this disaster require continued state support.”
The following counties are included in the state of emergency: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union and Volusia.
Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie also urged residents to prepare for mass evacuations. Guthrie called the impending evacuation “the largest evacuation we’ve most likely seen since Hurricane Irma in 2017” and strongly advised residents to evacuate if necessary.
Pinellas County has already begun evacuation procedures, and County Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins announced the evacuation of 6,600 patients from six hospitals, 44 assisted living facilities, and 25 nursing homes.
Schools in the area were canceled from Monday to Wednesday (October 9), according to Reuters.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch commented on the situation, noting that the recovery from Hurricane Helene will already be long, and the impact of Hurricane Milton will make matters worse. He emphasized, “Hurricane Helene was 100 miles away and moving in a different direction. This storm is a strong Cat 2 or Cat 3 hurricane that was headed straight for us.”
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell spoke to ABC News about preparations for Hurricane Milton, explaining that the agency planned for the storm days in advance, even before it formed. She said, “We are absolutely ready. We have already begun moving resources to Florida to support the needs of residents.”
Criswell also mentioned that FEMA personnel are already on the ground helping with the recovery from Hurricane Helene and other previous storms and providing support before Hurricane Milton makes landfall.
“We are working with the state EOC to understand what their requirements will be so that we can have these resources available before that happens,” Criswell concluded.
As Hurricane Milton continues its approach to Florida, the state faces serious challenges with the looming threat of catastrophic flooding, storage, and damaging winds. The state of emergency and widespread evacuation orders reflect the severity of the situation, with local authorities and FEMA coordinating efforts to keep residents safe. While the recovery from Hurricane Helene remains an ongoing process, the immediate impact of Milton underscores the importance of preparedness and vigilance. As Florida prepares for the storm, officials continue to urge residents to heed evacuation orders and stay informed of the latest updates to minimize the storm’s destructive effects.