The hurricane Milton moved closer Wednesday to a potentially catastrophic collision with the west coast of Florida, where some residents insisted on staying after millions were ordered to evacuate, and where authorities warned that stragglers would have little chance of surviving.
The Tampa Bay region, home to more than 3.3 million people, is at risk of massive destruction after being spared major hurricanes for more than a century. The National Hurricane Center has predicted that Miltona Category 5 hurricane for most of its approach, would likely weaken but still be a major hurricane when it makes landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday.
“ Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida,” the center warned.
Rain and risk of flooding
Milton was centered about 300 miles (485 kilometers) southwest of Tampa early Wednesday with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, the hurricane center reported. It was moving northeast at 22 km/h early Wednesday and is expected to continue moving in that direction with increasing progress through Wednesday evening, with landfall expected late Wednesday or early Thursday morning. It is expected to turn east-northeast and east on Thursday and Friday.
Heavy rain began to spread across parts of southwest and west-central Florida before Milton early Wednesday, and weather conditions are expected to deteriorate across parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast throughout the day, the center said.
Rainfall of 15 to 31 centimeters, with local accumulations of up to 46 centimeters, is expected in central and northern Florida through Thursday, bringing the risk of catastrophic and life-threatening flash and urban flooding, as well as moderate to significant flooding of rivers. Several tornadoes were likely Wednesday in parts of central and south Florida.
Forecasters estimate the storm will maintain hurricane strength as it passes through central Florida on Thursday, heading toward the Atlantic Ocean. The precise path of the hurricane remains uncertain, with forecasters changing its predicted path Tuesday evening slightly south of Tampa.
Evacuations and remains of “Hélène”
Thousands of runaway cars clogged Florida’s highways before the storm arrived, but time for evacuations was running out Wednesday. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor noted that her city’s storm surge, 15 feet high, would be deep enough to swallow an entire house.
“If you’re inside, this is the coffin you’re in,” Ms. Beaver thundered.
Milton targets communities still in shock two weeks after the hurricane Helene flooded streets and homes in West Florida throughout its devastating march that left at least 230 dead across the South.
In the coastal city of Punta Gorda, about 100 miles south of Tampa, streets were still filled Tuesday with 5-foot mounds of soggy furniture, clothes, books, appliances and other trash taken out damaged houses.
Authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders in 11 Florida counties, with a combined population of about 5.9 million, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Authorities warned that anyone left behind should fend for themselves, as first responders will not risk their lives attempting rescues at the height of the storm.
The state and local communities rushed, before the storm, to remove the piles of debris left in the wake ofHelenefearing that the coming hurricane will transform the debris into flying missiles. Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state deployed more than 300 dump trucks that removed 1,300 loads of debris.
In Mexico, authorities in the state of Yucatán reported minor damage caused by Milton as it passed just offshore. Power lines, utility poles and trees were toppled near the coast, and some small thatched structures were destroyed, Yucatán Governor Joaquín Díaz said. He did not report any deaths or injuries.