Hurricane Milton has rapidly grown stronger and has become one of category 4on the Saffir-Simpson scale out of a total of 5, with maximum sustained winds of 240 kilometers per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC, in English).
The system threatens storm surge and hurricane conditions to a wide area of the Yucatan Peninsulaso it has left interesting satellite images.
Likewise, there is “an increasing risk” of storm surge and destructive winds on the west coast of Florida (United States) starting Tuesday night or early Wednesday. The NHC urged residents of the west-central Florida coast to be pay attention to evacuation orders from local authorities.
This is what Milton looks like:
Even before Milton approaches Florida are expected heavy rain and flooding in urban areas that will worsen with the overflowing of rivers, detailed the NHC.
10am update – #Milton has strengthened to a Category 4 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.
Today is the day to prepare! Secure your belongings. Stock up on essentials. Refill prescriptions. Evacuate NOW if you plan to. Do not wait to make your preparations. pic.twitter.com/RINoGrW9aT
— Sarasota Police Department (@SarasotaPD) October 7, 2024
The NHC, based in Miami, reported that the storm is at 1,185 kilometers southwest of Tampa (Florida), and about 240 kilometers west of Progreso (Mexico).
Milton could make landfall next Wednesday as a potentially destructive hurricane in Florida.
According to NHC meteorologists, Milton is moving east-southeast, approximately 13 kilometers per hour.
When I went to bed last night, this was a 90 mph category 1 storm.
Now, #Milton is a MONSTER, 150 mph category 4 #hurricane. 60 mph of strengthening in under 12 hours.
That might be the fastest rapid intensification I’ve ever seen. This is well on its way to becoming a cat 5. pic.twitter.com/wNVkryPr1S
— Evan O’Regan (@EvanKFOX_CBS) October 7, 2024
On the forecast trajectory, it is expected that Milton move this Monday near or just north of the Yucatan Peninsula and on Tuesday it crosses the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approaches the west coast of the Florida peninsula on Wednesday.
The arrival of the new tropical storm in Florida comes ten days after Helene made landfall in that state, becoming the deadliest hurricane in the United States since Katrina.
In 2017, authorities urged some 7 million people to evacuate in Florida before the arrival of the hurricane Irma. The exodus clogged highways, caused hours-long waits at gas stations that still had fuel and left the displaced frustrated and, in some cases, determined never to evacuate again.
This is what Milton looks like:
From the lessons learned with Irma and other storms, Florida has prepared fuel supplies and charging stations for electric vehicles along evacuation routes, said Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
“We have looked at every possible location that could accommodate people, in what we describe as emergency management, as a shelter of last resort,” Guthrie added.
The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantisnoted Sunday that while there is no certainty about where the system will make landfall, it is clear that the state will receive a strong impact from Milton.
8:05 AM CDT Monday Update: Milton rapidly intensifies into a category 4 hurricane. The maximum sustained winds have now increased to 150 mph (240 km/h) and the minimum pressure has fallen to 940 mb. pic.twitter.com/wlJXbB5lkr
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 7, 2024
“I don’t think at this point there’s a scenario where we don’t take a significant hit,” he said.
Until 4 thousand National Guard troops They are helping state crews remove tons of debris left behind by Helene, said DeSantis, who directed that state crews sent to North Carolina after Helene return to Florida to prepare for Milton’s arrival.
“All available state resources (…) are being used to help clear debris,” the governor said. “We will work 24 hours a day, seven days a day.”
SNGZ
