Tropical Storm Milton Intensifies, Threatens Florida’s West Coast
MIAMI — A newly formed Tropical Storm Milton is gaining strength over the Gulf of Mexico, with meteorologists predicting it could rapidly develop into a hurricane as it approaches the west coast of Florida later this week. As of Saturday, the tropical storm was located approximately 365 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and about 855 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, boasting maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and traveling north-northeast at 4 mph (6 kph).
Caught in Milton’s Path
The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued warnings of increasing risks of life-threatening conditions for areas along Florida’s west coast. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency across 35 counties as a precautionary measure, especially significant for places still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. DeSantis has instructed state agencies, including the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Transportation, to mobilize resources to help local communities with debris removal and other needs.
While no coastal warnings are currently imposed, the storm is expected to bring torrential rains beginning Sunday, potentially leading to dangerous flash, urban, and river flooding conditions. Experts predict that hurricane and storm-surge watches could be issued as the week progresses.
Preparation is Key
Residents along the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys, as well as those in the northwestern Bahamas and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, are encouraged to stay alert to the storm’s progression. The hurricane center cautions that there is an escalating risk of life-threatening storm surges and wind damage affecting the Florida Peninsula beginning late Tuesday or Wednesday.
Wider Storm Impact in the Atlantic
In addition to Tropical Storm Milton, the Atlantic Basin is currently witnessing the activity of Hurricane Kirk, which has maintained its Category 4 status and was measured to be about 1,345 miles west-southwest of the Azores with sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) late Saturday. The storm is producing substantial swells, which are generating dangerous conditions along the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, and other areas of the Greater Antilles.
Hurricane Leslie, meanwhile, is making its way northward over the open Atlantic, posing no immediate threats to land despite its maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph), located about 855 miles west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands.
Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
In a related development, rescuers in the southeastern U.S. continue to search for those unaccounted for following the devastation left by Hurricane Helene, which struck last week, leaving in its wake a trail of destruction and heartache across affected areas.
