On Monday (October 7), Hurricane Milton strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico. Now, the Category 5 natural disaster is heading towards Florida.
Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located, ordered the evacuation of areas near Tampa Bay and all mobile and manufactured homes until Tuesday night. According to the Associated PressHurricane Milton could cause dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay. Furthermore, it is setting the stage for possible mass evacuations less than two weeks after a catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coast.
RELATED: Prayers up! Hurricane Helene reportedly claims more than 130 lives as cities grapple with the aftermath (PHOTOS)
What to know about Hurricane Milton
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) provided more information about the hurricane’s progression. According to the NHC, Milton rapidly intensified on Monday and had maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. As of midday Monday, the center of the storm was about 130 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and about 700 miles southwest of Tampa. At the time, it was moving east-southeast at 15 mph.
Its center could land Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area. Forecasters warned of a possible storm surge of 8 to 12 feet in Tampa Bay. Flash flooding and river flooding could result in 5 to 10 inches of rain in mainland Florida and the Keys, with up to 6 inches in some places.
Additionally, Hurricane Milton could remain a hurricane as it moves through central Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean. If we follow this path, we will largely spare other states hit hard by Helene. To date, the storm has killed at least 230 people on its path from Florida to the Appalachian Mountains.
See how Florida is preparing
As mentioned, the Tampa Bay area is still reeling from Helene and her powerful surge. Twelve people died, with the worst damage along a series of barrier islands from St. Petersburg to Clearwater.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that it was essential that the state clean up Helene’s messes before Milton’s arrival so they don’t become projectiles. More than 300 vehicles picked up debris on Sunday but encountered a locked gate to the landfill when they tried to leave it. State troopers used a rope tied to a pickup truck and broke it. “We don’t have time for red tape and red tape,” DeSantis said.
Meanwhile, schools including the University of Central Florida in Orlando announced they would close midweek. Walt Disney World said it was monitoring the hurricane but operating normally for now.
All tolls have been suspended in west-central Florida. St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport said it would close after Tuesday’s last flight, and Tampa International Airport said it plans to halt air and cargo flights starting Tuesday morning.
Tampa officials have opened up all of the city’s garages to residents in hopes of protecting their cars from flooding, including electric vehicles. Vehicles must be left on the third floor or higher of each garage.
More details on Hurricane Milton evacuations
About 7 million people were urged to evacuate Florida in 2017 when Hurricane Irma hit the country. However, the result was congested highways, long lines at gas stations, and promises from Floridians not to follow evacuation orders in the future.
Building on lessons learned during Irma and other previous storms, Florida is preparing emergency fuel for gas vehicles and charging stations for electric vehicles along evacuation routes.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Kevin Guthrie said the state has learned from its past with storms. Now, they are preparing to install fuel and emergency charging stations for cars along evacuation routes. “We are preparing… for the largest evacuation we have seen, probably since 2017, Hurricane Irma,” Guthrie said.
Tampa Bay Sheriff Chad Chronister agreed that the evacuations “stink” but assured residents that protecting their families would keep them alive. Meanwhile, Hillsborough Fire Rescue Chief Jason Dougherty highlighted the risk residents pose to emergency personnel when they don’t evacuate. “If you remain there, you may die, and my men and women may die trying to rescue you. Help them by leaving.” Chief Dougherty said.
DeSantis expanded his state of emergency declaration Sunday to 51 counties and said Floridians should prepare for more power outages and outages caused by Hurricane Milton. He also said they should make sure they have a week’s worth of food and water and are ready to hit the road.
Florida’s recent history with hurricanes
It’s been two decades since so many storms crossed Florida in such a short period of time. In 2004, an unprecedented five storms hit Florida in six weeks, including three hurricanes that struck central Florida.
Although Tampa hasn’t been directly hit by a hurricane in more than a century, other parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast have been recovering from such storms over the past two years. The Fort Myers area of southwest Florida is still recovering from Hurricane Ian, which caused $112 billion in damage in 2022. Three hurricanes have hit Florida’s Big Bend region in just 13 months, including Helene.
RELATED: Couple killed by fallen tree during Hurricane Helene is found hugging inside their home
Associated Press reporters Mike Schneider, Haven Daley, Jeff Martin and Freida Frisaro contributed to this report.
What do you think, roommates?