Hurricane Milton’s Approach Prompts Evacuations Along Florida’s West Coast

Evacuations have been ordered across Florida’s west coast as Hurricane Milton approaches, with authorities warning that those who stay behind will face perilous conditions. The hurricane, a powerful Category 5 storm during much of its journey, is expected to make landfall on Wednesday evening, though it is predicted to weaken slightly beforehand. Despite this, officials have stressed that Milton will remain a dangerous storm when it reaches the Tampa Bay area, home to over 3.3 million residents, after the region has avoided a direct hit from a major hurricane for more than 100 years.

As of late Tuesday, Hurricane Milton was positioned approximately 405 miles southwest of Tampa with sustained winds reaching 160 mph. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to move across central Florida on Thursday before heading towards the Atlantic. The exact track of the hurricane remains uncertain, but projections now suggest it may move slightly south of Tampa.

Millions of residents across 11 Florida counties have been urged to evacuate, but some are choosing to stay. Officials have warned that emergency responders may not be able to carry out rescues during the peak of the storm. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has warned of storm surges as high as 15 feet, which could be enough to submerge entire homes.

Thousands of vehicles have been seen clogging Florida’s highways as people flee from the impending storm, while others, like accountant Scott Joiner, have chosen to remain. Joiner, who witnessed Hurricane Helene’s devastation just two weeks ago, said he is prepared to ride out the storm despite the risk. Many others, however, are leaving after seeing the damage caused by Helene, which left parts of Florida’s west coast flooded and claimed over 230 lives across the southern U.S.

With debris from Helene still scattered across affected areas, officials have mobilized over 300 dump trucks to clear the remnants, fearing that Hurricane Milton could turn the debris into hazardous projectiles. Hospitals in Tampa and nearby areas have also braced for the storm, with many preparing to shelter staff and patients for days. Tampa General Hospital has stocked up on five days’ worth of supplies and deployed its aquafence, which successfully prevented flooding during Hurricane Helene.

Long-term care facilities have begun evacuating thousands of residents, while hospitals in high-risk areas like St. Petersburg and Englewood have also relocated patients to safer locations. Officials have warned that power outages, flooded roads, and potential damage to infrastructure will likely pose additional challenges during and after the storm.

As the state prepares for the impact of Hurricane Milton, authorities and residents alike are hoping for the best while preparing for the worst. Despite the preparations, the back-to-back nature of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton has made the situation more precarious for many Florida communities.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)