US officials warn that super storm Milton could threaten people’s lives as it strengthens to level 5 (the highest on the storm scale) in a short time and is preparing to attack the state of Florida.
According to the BBC, despite being downgraded to level 4, superstorm Milton is still bringing fierce wind gusts, up to 250 km/h as it moves across the northern edge of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula towards Florida. Experts from the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) predict that Milton is “potentially catastrophic” along coastal areas.
The superstorm is expected to make landfall in the densely populated Florida city of Tampa Bay at full strength tomorrow (October 9). Residents have been told to prepare for the state’s largest evacuation effort in years. Governor Ron DeSantis advised that the time for people to evacuate is shortening.
October 2024 Milton hurricanes hit but Florida stands strong shirt
The warning about superstorm Milton was issued just 10 days after superstorm Helene, the deadliest storm since the 2005 Katrina disaster, swept across the southeastern US, killing at least 225 people. . Hundreds of other victims are still missing.
At least 14 deaths from that natural disaster were in Florida. Currently, 51/67 counties in the state are on emergency alert as superstorm Milton approaches.
According to the NHC, torrential rain and flash flooding are possible in some areas of Florida before Milton is expected to make landfall in the state on the evening of October 9 or the morning of October 10. Some places could see locally high rainfall of 38cm, while coastal areas are more likely to see storm surges of 3 – 4.5m.
Counties began issuing evacuation orders on October 7 and will temporarily suspend tolls on roads in western and central Florida. At gas stations in the southern part of the state, long lines of people waiting to buy fuel have begun to form. CBS quoted several sources as saying that gas stations have run out of fuel to sell due to a sudden increase in demand.
Governor DeSantis also confirmed that traffic congestion in some areas in Florida has increased by up to 90% compared to average. Schools in some districts will temporarily close from October 8 until further notice.
The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) announced that it is coordinating actions with the state government and reported to President Joe Biden on October 6 on how to organize rescue and rescue resources. before natural disasters. California Governor Gavin Newsom also said he sent more than 140 firefighters and rescue teams to Florida to help the state respond to superstorm Milton.
According to the Capitoneshirt