An alert has been sounded in the US for Hurricane Milton, which is approaching Florida and is going to bring a “monster storm” with winds that will exceed 285 km/h, which is currently hitting the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and in less than 36 hours will hit Florida. In fact, the authorities warn of a mortal danger and call on citizens to evacuate the area.
President Joe Biden has warned Florida residents to evacuate the area, calling it a “matter of life and death” ahead of Category 4 Hurricane Milton in the state.
Milton has weakened slightly from a category five, but still packs sustained winds of up to 145 mph (233 km/h) after passing over the northern tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
FLORIDA…If you haven’t EVACUATED yet, it would be in your BEST interest to do so ASAP. 🚨🚨🚨⚠️⚠️⚠️
Hurricane Milton, which is now officially classified as a CATEGORY 5 storm with sustained winds in excess of 160 MPH is heading for a DIRECT HIT to one of the most populated… pic.twitter.com/HpuvMJFv9L
— The Patriot Voice (@TPV_John) October 7, 2024
The storm is expected to hit the densely populated Tampa Bay city with full force Wednesday night, less than two weeks after the state was hit by the devastating Hurricane Helen.
The Tampa area is facing a potential 15-foot storm surge with Hurricane Milton. Here’s video of a similar surge in Ft Myers during Hurricane Ian.
Terrifying.pic.twitter.com/4ppSSM599q
— Mark Elliott (@markmobility) October 8, 2024
Florida residents have been told to prepare for the state’s largest evacuation effort in years.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, President Biden said the storm could be one of Florida’s worst in a century.
“Evacuate now, now, now,” he told Florida residents, promising that the federal government would help the state “before, during and after” the hurricane hits.
Thousands of federal personnel are also being deployed, Biden added.
Gov. Ron DeSandis said Florida has prepared dozens of shelters to help house residents stranded by the storm.
“We have one of the venues that can host 10,000,” he told reporters. “Others will make many thousands. But these are designed to be a refuge of last resort.”
The appeal of the mayor of Tampa was also dramatic. “Get out as fast as you can. Don’t wait. If you stay in the evacuation areas you will die” he reported.
Read also: “If you don’t leave, you will die”: Florida on alert – Mass evacuations just before Hurricane Milton hits (Photos-Videos)
Hundreds of thousands of people have been ordered to leave the area with highways in Tampa flooded with cars forming miles of queues.
State officials say this may be the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Massive evacuations in Florida due to Hurricane Milton. This is I-75 in Tampa. pic.twitter.com/owHfH8v8sj
— T_CAS videos (@tecas2000) October 8, 2024
NEW: Massive evacuation happening in Florida due to Hurricane Milton. This is I-75 in Tampa. pic.twitter.com/JwkVT2QhSo
— 50 States of Lie (@StatesLie) October 8, 2024
Experts estimate that the hurricane could weaken as it passes through the Gulf of Mexico, however even if this happens they note that it will continue to be extremely dangerous and destructive. Hurricanes are divided into five categories based on their wind speed. Those that reach category three and above are considered mega hurricanes because of their potential to cause significant loss of life and damage.
Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) emphasize that this is a “potentially catastrophic” storm that will hit coastal areas and is expected to hit the densely populated city of Tampa Bay with full force on Wednesday.
It is recalled that almost two weeks ago the state of Florida, the third most populous US state, was also hit by Hurricane Helen, the deadliest storm to hit the mainland since Katrina in 2005. The hurricane hit the southeastern US, killing at least 225 people. while hundreds of others are missing.
Weatherman breaks down in tears as he warns of Hurricane Milton
Indicative of the fears over the impending hit of Hurricane Milton is the reaction of a weatherman, who broke down in tears as he warned of the dangers ahead.
“It’s just an incredible, incredible, incredible hurricane. It’s dropped — it’s dropped 50 millibars in 10 hours,” Morales said, his voice cracking and shaking as he spoke of the stunning drop in atmospheric pressure that accompanied Milton on Monday.
I debated whether to share this. I did apologize on the air. But I invite you to read my introspection on @BulletinAtomic of how extreme weather 📈 driven by global warming has changed me. Frankly, YOU should be shaken too, and demand #ClimateActionNow.
— John Morales (@JohnMoralesTV) October 7, 2024
“I apologize. This is just horrible,” Morales said after pausing briefly during NBC6’s Miami broadcast.
Morales then went on to post on X stating: “Extreme weather events caused by global warming have changed me. Honestly, YOU should be shocked and demand ClimateActionNow.”
Morales is a stalwart of the South Florida community and has helped residents weather its major hurricanes, including Andrew in 1992, a Florida hurricane surge in 2004 and 2005 that included Katrina and Wilma, and most recently the hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Maria – which hit his native Puerto Rico.
Tampa mayor to residents: ‘If you don’t leave, you will die’
Authorities in areas of Florida that are expected to be at the mercy of the hurricane from Wednesday night into Thursday are making dramatic appeals to residents to evacuate.
Speaking to CNN, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor was asked what message she was sending to the city’s residents. “If you choose to stay in any of the evacuation zones, you will die”he said.
And, addressing those unwilling to evacuate their homes, she noted that “you may have made it through other storms, but there was none like this one. It’s something I’ve never seen before in my entire life, nor has anyone else born or raised in the Tampa Bay area.”he underlined.
They’re running out of fuel
At the same time, the state of Florida is trying to keep gas stations stocked due to increased demand from the evacuations.
Queues at petrol stations are huge with stocks running out very quickly. According to Florida Gov. Ron DeSandis, the state is sending fuel from its own reserves to keep gas stations from running out and people to be able to move away from their homes.
At the same time, and in order for the world to understand the magnitude of the possible impending disaster, videos have been uploaded on social media that show what can happen from such a bad weather.
Just so people have any idea what Hurricanes categories look like.
This video shows the differences between a category 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 hurricane in regard to potential home damage.#Florida #Milton #miltonhurricane #hurricanemilton #Milton #DeSantis #hurricane #Cat5 #Cat6… pic.twitter.com/pkyzzb1Srt— T-shirt Trend (@hawaiiananna) October 8, 2024
#Florida #mercy #Hurricane #Milton #matter #life #death #Dramatic #appeal #evacuations #PhotosVideo
