Hurricane Milton Intensifies to Category 5, Millions in Florida Urged to Evacuate

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Monday morning that Hurricane Milton has strengthened to a Category 5 storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 165 mph. With the storm’s projected path suggesting landfall near Tampa Bay by Wednesday evening, around 7 million Floridians are now under evacuation orders as the state braces for potentially devastating impacts.

Florida, still recovering from the destruction left by Hurricane Helene last week, faces the prospect of significant storm surge and damaging winds across the west coast of the peninsula starting Tuesday night. The NHC warns of the potential for life-threatening flash floods, with rainfall projections of 5 to 10 inches for portions of the state and localized totals reaching 15 inches. Meteorologists have also raised concerns about the risk of river flooding in the days ahead.

The White House confirmed that President Biden has been briefed on the hurricane and FEMA’s preparedness efforts. Meanwhile, the Mexican government has issued a hurricane watch from Celestún to Cabo Catoche and a tropical storm warning from Celestún to Cancun, with the Yucatan Peninsula expecting 2 to 4 inches of rain.

In addition to Milton, Hurricane Kirk has weakened to a Category 1 storm, situated about 765 miles from the Azores with winds of 75 mph. While Kirk currently poses no threat to land, Milton follows closely on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which struck Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and widespread infrastructure damage. Over 350,000 utility customers in Florida remain without power due to Helene’s impact.

This season has been unusually active, with Milton marking the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, weeks ahead of the typical schedule. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently warned of potential funding shortages for FEMA, and President Biden indicated that Congress might need to consider additional funding to support ongoing recovery efforts in affected states.

Here are the key points from the article:

1. Hurricane Milton Intensifies: Hurricane Milton has strengthened to a Category 5 storm, with maximum sustained winds reaching 165 mph.
2. Evacuations in Florida: Approximately 7 million residents are urged to evacuate Florida as the storm’s projected path indicates potential landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday evening.
3. Warnings of Severe Weather: The NHC warned of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for Florida’s west coast starting Tuesday night, with rainfall estimates of 5 to 10 inches in some areas.
4. Presidential Briefing: President Biden has been briefed on the situation, including the hurricane’s impacts on the Gulf Coast and FEMA’s preparations.
5. Mexican Hurricane Watch: The Mexican government has issued a hurricane watch along the coast from Celestún to Cabo Catoche and a tropical storm warning from Celestún to Cancun.
6. Hurricane Kirk Weakens: Hurricane Kirk has diminished to a Category 1 storm, located approximately 765 miles from the Azores, with winds of 75 mph.
7. Recent Impacts from Hurricane Helene: Hurricane Milton follows Hurricane Helene, which caused at least 20 deaths and left over 350,000 utility customers without power in Florida.
8. Active Hurricane Season: Milton is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which is ahead of the typical schedule for storm formation.
9. Funding Concerns for FEMA: Secretary Mayorkas has warned of potential funding shortages for FEMA, with President Biden suggesting Congress may need to approve additional spending for recovery efforts.