Hurricane Milton Threatens Florida with Destructive Storm Surge \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, is closing in on Florida’s Gulf Coast, threatening the Tampa Bay area with dangerous storm surges, winds, and flooding. Power outages have already begun, impacting over 44,000 residents, while evacuations continue. FEMA officials assure that they can manage the response to Milton as well as the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene. Local governments are issuing evacuation orders and warnings as Milton approaches, and significant disruption to tourism, flights, and daily life has already occurred.
Hurricane Milton: Major Updates and Quick Looks
- Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, is set to make landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast, targeting Tampa Bay and surrounding areas.
- Power outages have surpassed 44,000 customers across Florida before the storm’s landfall.
- FEMA has assured its capability to handle the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene while addressing Milton’s damage.
- Theme parks and airports in Orlando have shut down operations, disrupting Florida’s tourism industry.
- Tornado watches have been issued across 20 counties as the storm moves closer.
- Governor Ron DeSantis and President Biden warned of Milton’s historic potential for damage and urged residents to evacuate.
- Evacuation orders are in place across vulnerable areas, with local officials warning residents to hunker down as the window for safe evacuations closes.
Deep Look:
As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, millions of residents are preparing for what could be a catastrophic event. Tampa Bay, home to more than 3.3 million people, is facing the threat of life-threatening storm surges, destructive winds, and widespread power outages as the powerful Category 4 storm closes in on the area. Residents are being urged to evacuate or shelter in place, with officials warning that those who stay behind could face devastating consequences.
Power Outages Surge as Milton Approaches
Ahead of Milton’s landfall, the storm is already causing significant disruptions across Florida. More than 44,000 customers have lost power, according to PowerOutage.us, and that number is expected to grow as the storm continues to intensify. Lee County, which includes Fort Myers and Cape Coral, has seen more than 8,000 customers lose power, while Hillsborough County (which includes Tampa) and Pinellas County (home to St. Petersburg and Clearwater) have also been heavily affected.
FEMA’s Dual Response to Helene and Milton
Amid concerns about the federal government’s ability to handle two major hurricanes in such a short time, FEMA officials reassured the public that the agency is fully capable of managing both Hurricane Milton and the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene, which recently wreaked havoc across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. At a briefing in Buncombe County, North Carolina, FEMA Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney emphasized that the agency has the resources and personnel to respond to both disasters.
“FEMA can do more than one thing at a time,” Tierney said, noting that hundreds of personnel are stationed in Florida and North Carolina to assist with both storms. “We are here for an extended period of time given the long-term recovery.”
Massive Evacuations and Last-Minute Warnings
Counties across Florida, particularly along the Gulf Coast, have issued mandatory evacuation orders for low-lying and vulnerable areas. In Manatee County, home to Bradenton, emergency officials have warned residents that it is now too late to evacuate safely. Matt Myers, Manatee County’s Chief of Emergency Management, said that those who have not left should shelter in place, adding, “Where you are now is where you are going to be during the duration of Milton.”
Other counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco, are urging residents to take advantage of the last few hours of safe evacuation. Pinellas County sent out emergency text messages, emails, and phone calls urging residents in vulnerable areas to leave immediately. Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins warned, “Everybody in Tampa Bay should assume we are going to be ground zero.”
With the potential for storm surges up to 15 feet, officials are warning that Hurricane Milton could bring unprecedented flooding to the Tampa Bay area. Governor Ron DeSantis has repeatedly emphasized the seriousness of the situation, saying that many residents in the path of the storm will lose power. “If you are in the path of this storm, you are most likely going to lose power,” DeSantis said at a briefing in Lake City.
Tourism in Orlando Grinds to a Halt
Hurricane Milton has disrupted Florida’s tourism industry, especially in Orlando, where major theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld, have shut down operations. Tens of thousands of tourists have been forced to change their plans, with many evacuating or sheltering in local hotels. Orlando International Airport, Florida’s busiest airport, suspended operations on Wednesday morning as flights were grounded. Airlines canceled more than 1,900 U.S. flights, with most of the disruptions occurring at Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Myers airports.
Tornadoes and Storm Surge Threaten Coastal Areas
Along with the potential for massive storm surges, Milton is also sparking tornadoes throughout the region. A tornado touched down in Fort Myers near Page Field Airport on Wednesday afternoon, damaging trees and structures. A tornado watch has been issued for over 20 Florida counties, including the Tampa Bay area and Miami-Dade County, with officials warning of potential destruction from strong winds and hail.
Impact on Florida’s Immigrant Communities
Florida’s immigrant communities are particularly vulnerable as Hurricane Milton approaches. Many immigrants, particularly those from Latin America and Africa, face significant language barriers and a lack of resources, making it more difficult for them to access critical safety information and evacuation plans. Advocacy groups and consulate officials have been working to reach out to these communities, providing information in Spanish, French, and various African languages about shelters, evacuation routes, and storm preparations.
The Pew Research Center estimates that Florida is home to at least 4.8 million immigrants, with large populations concentrated in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. Many of these individuals work in agriculture, hospitality, and construction, industries that could be severely affected by the storm.
Milton’s Potential for Historic Damage
With Hurricane Milton potentially becoming the first major hurricane to directly hit the Tampa Bay area in over a century, estimates suggest that the storm could cause tens of billions of dollars in damages. BMO Capital Markets projects that insured losses could reach more than $75 billion if Milton strikes Tampa as a Category 3 or stronger storm.
For comparison, Hurricane Ian caused over $50 billion in insured losses when it hit Florida in 2022, and Hurricane Katrina remains the most expensive storm in U.S. history, with $102 billion in insured losses (adjusted for inflation). In addition to wind damage, Milton is expected to bring extensive flooding, with many residents facing the risk of storm surge flooding in both coastal and inland areas.
FEMA, DeSantis, and Biden Urge Residents to Prepare
During a briefing, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris warned that Milton could be the most destructive storm in recent memory. “It’s looking like the storm of the century,” Biden said, urging residents to heed evacuation orders. He also called on companies, including airlines and gas stations, to avoid price gouging during the evacuation efforts.
Meanwhile, Governor DeSantis warned residents that Milton is packing a massive storm surge and that “you can’t just hunker down with that.” He noted that 50,000 power line workers have been deployed to restore power after the storm and that Florida National Guard members have been mobilized to assist in recovery efforts.
Cuba Feels Milton’s Impact
Despite the storm still being hundreds of miles away, Milton has already affected western Cuba, where strong winds and flooding have been reported in provinces such as Pinar del Río and Havana. In Havana, the Malecón was closed to traffic as waves crashed over the seawall, causing flooding in low-lying areas. Although no deaths have been reported, the storm has brought widespread disruption to the country.
Florida Prepares for Recovery
As Milton nears landfall, local officials across Florida are warning residents to prepare for a long recovery process. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch told residents that the storm could cause long-term damage to the city’s infrastructure, particularly its sewage systems and power grid. “This is not a storm that we will recover from quickly,” Welch said. “We have a long road ahead of us, but we will recover and we will rebuild.”
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