Category 5 Hurricane Milton Roars Towards Storm-Battered Florida

AFP/APP

United States: Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified into a potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm, threatening Florida with severe weather conditions just weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the region.

With maximum sustained winds reaching 180 mph (285 km/h) and near-record low air pressure, Milton is projected to cause significant damage along Florida’s west coast.

Evacuations and Preparations Underway

In anticipation of the storm, state authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders for several areas, including parts of the Tampa metropolitan area, which is home to over three million residents.

The National Weather Service warns that if the storm remains on its current track, it could be the worst to hit the Tampa area in over a century. Residents are bracing for a storm surge of 8 to 12 feet and rainfall amounts potentially exceeding 10 inches, raising concerns of severe flash flooding.

Communities still reeling from Hurricane Helene, which struck on September 26 as a Category 4 storm, are racing to clear debris that could become dangerous projectiles. “Last time, people’s cars were underwater, but the bigger issue this time is going to be the wind,” said David Levitsky, a resident of Treasure Island.

Political Tensions Rise Amid Crisis

The back-to-back hurricanes have sparked a political firestorm, with Vice President Kamala Harris criticizing Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump for what she termed “political gamesmanship.”

Harris has accused them of spreading misinformation about the federal response to the disasters, particularly claims that disaster funds had been misappropriated.

DeSantis, known for his contentious relationship with the federal government, has faced scrutiny for allegedly ignoring Harris’s calls regarding recovery efforts following Helene. He did, however, communicate with President Joe Biden about the storm preparations.

Community Responses and Readiness

As Milton approaches, residents are taking precautionary measures. In Orlando, long lines formed at sandbag distribution sites, with some considering evacuation. “We might go to Georgia,” said Tony Carlson, a local resident. Others, like Maria Torres, are opting to stay but are preparing with generators and emergency supplies.

Yucatan Prepares for Impact

In Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, where Milton is expected to make landfall first, workers are boarding up homes and schools have been suspended as a precaution.

Climate Change Concerns

Experts are highlighting the role of climate change in the increasing intensity of hurricanes, attributing the phenomenon to warmer ocean temperatures providing more energy for storms to feed on.

Hurricane Helene was already the deadliest natural disaster to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the toll continues to rise.