The United States is on high alert due to the Milton Storm. Described as the storm of the century, Milton hit the west coast of Florida at a category 3 level. It was reported that the wind speed reached 205 kilometers per hour. Multiple tornadoes occurred in Florida as a result of Milton. At least 125 houses suffered serious damage. Close to one and a half million homes and businesses were left without electricity, leading to the evacuation of residents. Four people lost their lives in Florida due to the storm.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced that the Milton Storm made landfall in Siesta Key, Florida, at a category 3 level. The wind speed was reported to be 205 kilometers per hour. Approximately two and a half hours later, the wind speed dropped to 165 kilometers per hour, downgrading the storm to Category 2.
However, numerous tornadoes occurred in Florida due to Milton. At least 125 houses suffered serious damage. Close to one and a half million homes and businesses were left without electricity.
According to CNN, four people lost their lives in the St. Lucie region of Florida. The Meteorological Service warned that the sea level could rise by 4 meters.
The Milton Storm at Category 5 level poses a great destructive potential with wind speeds reaching up to 230 kilometers per hour. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned that evacuation at this stage was dangerous and advised people not to leave shelters.
President Joe Biden urged people to evacuate the area before the storm, stating, “This is a matter of life and death.” Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 51 counties threatened by the storm, while Biden approved a federal disaster declaration to take preventive measures against possible damages.
This decision will allow all necessary aid to be provided during the state’s hurricane preparedness and recovery process. According to warnings by the NHC, areas from the west coast of Florida from Flamingo to Yankeetown, including Charlotte Harbor, Tampa Bay, St. Johns River, are at risk of storm surges.
Moreover, hurricane warnings have been issued for areas along the east coast of Florida from St. Lucie/Martin County Line to Ponte Vedra Beach. Due to the hurricane’s severe winds and potentially deadly storm surges, mandatory evacuations have been initiated in many areas around Tampa Bay.
Officials have expedited evacuation processes to relocate residents to safe areas due to the anticipated flooding and destructive winds caused by the hurricane. Warnings were issued that those who do not comply with evacuation orders may be at great risk.
Florida residents who feel unsafe in their homes lined up to find places in the closest shelters. The majority of residents, mostly elderly, settled in school buildings.
According to the NHC predictions, storm surges and rising sea levels brought by the Milton Storm will cause life-threatening flooding in many coastal areas of Florida. Meteorologists stated that areas located approximately 30-40 km south of the hurricane’s center are likely to bear the brunt. The point of landfall of Milton is said to directly impact the extent of damage the hurricane will cause.