Fast-approaching Hurricane Milton has been upgraded to a Category 3 storm before it hits Florida on Wednesday morning, in a double blow for Helene’s still-recovering residents.
The storm improved Monday morning, meaning it is now expected to cause “devastating damage” as it heads toward Orlando and Tampa Bay, an area still recovering from Hurricane Helene last month.
Helene caused record storm surges in the area, killing 230 people and destroying several small towns in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. And forecasters have warned that Milton could be even worse.
The government disaster response agency, FEMA, has been criticized for its slow response to Helene, and those in Milton’s path are now being warned not to expect immediate federal help if they decide to ignore evacuation orders.
Kevin Guthrie, head of the Florida Department of Emergency Management, warned that Milton could be “life-threatening” and urged residents under evacuation orders to follow them.
“We are preparing for the largest evacuation we have seen since, most likely, Hurricane Irma in 2017,” he said. About seven million people were ordered to evacuate the Sunshine State when Irma hit.
A terrifying computer-generated image shows Hurricane Milton approaching Florida, where the superstorm will cause chaos when it makes landfall on Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Milton has been upgraded to a Category 3 hurricane before reaching Florida
Residents in major Florida cities are preparing to shelter or evacuate as Hurricane Milton moves forward this week, bringing “life-threatening” 115 mph winds.
Meanwhile, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody gave a grim warning to residents who refuse to follow evacuation orders.
“You probably need to write your name in permanent marker on your arm so people know who you are when they contact you later,” he said.
Pasco County residents and those living in mobile homes along with low-lying, flood-prone areas are under mandatory evacuation orders effective at 10 a.m. Monday.
The county is bracing for storm surges three to nine feet high, with rainfall of up to 15 inches, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Widespread traffic disruptions and power outages are expected throughout Florida.
While forecast models vary widely, the most likely trajectory suggests Milton could make landfall on Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area and will remain a hurricane as it moves through central Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean.
Meanwhile, the Mexican government has issued a hurricane warning for the Yucatan Peninsula from Celestún to Río Lagartos.
When Hurricane Irma hit the country in 2017, the exodus of seven million people clogged highways and caused hours-long lines at gas stations.
Building on lessons learned during Irma and other previous storms, Florida is installing emergency fueling for gasoline vehicles and charging stations for electric vehicles along evacuation routes, Guthrie said.
Hurricane Milton will hit Florida on Wednesday morning, forecasters warned
Lenard Cox prepares sandbags to be distributed to Pinellas County residents ahead of Tropical Storm Milton’s expected arrival in Seminole, Florida, on Sunday.
Rene Guerra carries sandbags as they are distributed to Pinellas County residents ahead of the expected arrival of Tropical Storm Milton, in Seminole, Florida, on Sunday.
“We’re looking at all the potential places that could shelter someone, as we call it in emergency management, as a shelter of last resort,” Guthrie added.
The storm was centered about 195 miles (314 kilometers) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) west-southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (161 kph) on Monday. tomorrow.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday that while it remains to be seen where Milton will strike, it’s clear the state will be hit hard.
“I don’t think there’s any scenario where we don’t have significant impacts right now,” he said.
“You have time to prepare: all day today, all day Monday, probably all day Tuesday to make sure your hurricane preparedness plan is in place,” DeSantis said.
“If you’re on that west coast of Florida, barrier islands, assume they’ll ask you to leave.”
With Milton reaching hurricane status, this is the first time the Atlantic has had three simultaneous hurricanes after September, according to hurricane scientist Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University.
There have been four simultaneous hurricanes in August and September.
The St. Petersburg-Tampa Bay area is still cleaning up extensive damage caused by Helene and its powerful storm surge.
Twelve people died when Helene flooded the coast, with the worst damage occurring on the narrow 20-mile (32-kilometer) chain of barrier islands stretching from St. Petersburg to Clearwater.
DeSantis expanded his state of emergency declaration Sunday to 51 counties and said Floridians should prepare for more power outages and disruptions by making sure they have a week’s worth of food and water and are ready to hit the road.
People who live in homes built after Florida strengthened codes in 2004, who do not rely on constant electricity and who are not in evacuation zones should probably avoid the roads, Guthrie said.
All school classes and activities in Pinellas County in St. Petersburg were closed preemptively Monday through Wednesday as Milton approached.