is bringing “life-threatening” to Florida’s coast, according to the latest update on the threat lingering in the Gulf.
Hurricane Milton is an extremely powerful tropical cyclone, currently impacting the Yucatán Peninsula. The storm underwent explosive intensification into a on Monday before being downgraded to a four.
Experts fear it could bring destruction to areas already reeling from devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene 12 days ago. The National Hurricane Center said in its latest update: “ A large area of destructive storm surge, with highest inundations of 10 ft or greater, is expected along a portion of the west-central coast of the Florida Peninsula.
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“If you are in the Storm Surge Warning area, this is an extremely life-threatening situation, and you should evacuate today if ordered by local officials There will likely not be enough time to wait to leave on Wednesday. Devastating hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect.
“Milton is forecast to remain a hurricane as it crosses the Florida Peninsula and life- threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread inland across the peninsula. Preparations to protect life and property, and to be ready for long- duration power outages, should be complete by tonight.
Heavy rainfall across the Florida Peninsula through Thursday brings the risk of life-threatening flash and urban flooding along with moderate to major river flooding, especially in areas where coastal and inland flooding combine to increase the overall flood threat.”
Pictures from the scene in Florida have shown empty shelves in several shops as people stock up on supplies such as bottled water. Huge queues were reported as the hours ticked down to Milton’s arrival.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said during a morning news conference state officials are working with fuel companies to continue bringing in gasoline ahead of Milton's expected landfall on Wednesday. He said: “We have been dispatching fuel over the past 24 hours as gas stations have run out. We currently have 268,000 gallons of diesel, 110,000 gallons of gasoline.
“Those numbers are less than what they were 24 hours ago because we've put a lot in, but we have an additional 1.2 million gallons of both diesel and gasoline currently en-route to the state of Florida."
Some are preparing for the terrifying storm surge by blocking doors and windows with wooden panels. Millions blocked roads as they evacuated their homes - some for the second time in as many weeks after Hurricane Helene caused nightmares.
