Floridians are being told to prepare for the US state’s biggest evacuation effort in years as a new storm heads toward the Gulf Coast, which is still reeling from another historic storm.
Hurricane Milton off the coast of Mexico, The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the storm could be life-threatening when it reaches the state’s west coast midweek.
It comes just 10 days after Hurricane Helene – the deadliest land storm since Katrina in 2005 – tore through the southeastern US, killing at least 225 people. Hundreds of others are still missing.
At least 14 of those deaths were in Florida, where 51 of 67 counties are now under emergency warnings as Milton approaches.
NHC said Milton had strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 3 storm and by Monday morning had sustained wind speeds of about 125 mph (205 km/h).
It is expected to strengthen further, becoming a major hurricane, before making landfall in Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
Milton is then forecast to continue moving northeast, cutting across the Florida peninsula as it heads toward the Atlantic Ocean.
Along the way, it is expected to strengthen into a Category 4 storm. The NHC has warned of damaging wind gusts, torrential rainfall causing flash flooding, and storm surges as high water moves in. mainland from the Gulf Coast.
Rainfall totals could reach local highs of 15in (38cm) and coastal areas could see storm surges of 5-10ft (1.5-3.5m).
Floridians on Sunday began preparing for the storm. In the southern part of the state, people began filling sandbags at some distribution sites. Long line of cars waiting at the gas station.
Getty ImagesThe NHC’s dire warnings were met by state officials.
Floridians have been told by the state’s head of emergency management, Kevin Guthrie, to prepare for “the largest evacuation we’ve seen since 2017, Hurricane Irma.” Dozens of people were killed by Irma that year.
Governor Ron DeSantis, who issued the state’s 51 emergency warnings, said preparations were underway to restore power and clear roads, but people should expect more disruptions as Milton storms. landing.
He urged Floridians to have a “preparedness plan,” warning of mandatory and voluntary evacuations. He explained that he cannot foresee “any scenario where we don’t have a major impact.”
More evacuations are expected in Pinellas County, where at least a dozen people were killed by Helene.
Where and when is Milton expected to attack
The new storm approaches as the US government warns that cleanup efforts could take years after Hurricane Helene.
Hundreds of roads in affected areas remain closed, hindering efforts to send aid to hard-hit communities.
It made landfall in late September as a Category 4 storm – damaging structures, causing flash floods and losing power to millions of homes.
As well as in Florida, deaths were recorded in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia – and the worst affected state was North Carolina.
President Joe Biden has ordered the deployment of 500 additional troops to North Carolina. The troops – currently numbering 1,500 in total – will work with thousands of government aid workers and the National Guard.
Biden has so far approved nearly $140 million in federal assistance. The use of the money has been the subject of false accusations by Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for next month’s presidential election, who claims the relief money was spent on migrants. .
Trump was accused by the head of the US disaster relief agency of giving “dangerous” false information.
CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP
