This satellite image, provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch (RAMMB), shows Hurricane Milton swirling over the Gulf of Mexico on October 7, 2024. Credit: AFP PHOTO / NOAA / RAMMB
Hurricane Milton, which initially strengthened into a catastrophic Category 5 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, has now been downgraded to a Category 4. Nevertheless, it continues its relentless march toward Florida, bringing severe winds and the potential for unprecedented destruction. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned that Milton could be one of the most devastating hurricanes ever recorded in west-central Florida. Currently, the storm’s winds are reaching a terrifying 165 mph, posing a significant threat to Florida's already vulnerable western coast, which has been battered by previous storms like Hurricane Helene just 12 days ago and Ian two years ago.
A satellite image released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on October 7, 2024, captured Hurricane Milton swirling over the Gulf of Mexico. In just a matter of hours on Monday, the storm rapidly intensified from a Category 2 to a Category 5, leaving experts astonished. Although it has now slightly weakened, forecasters predict it will grow in size and remain dangerously powerful as it approaches Florida. The NHC stated that the storm’s intensity might decrease due to eyewall replacement cycles but warned that this would also cause Milton to expand, making the hurricane larger in size and spreading its destructive reach.
Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday, with Tampa Bay in particular bracing for a devastating storm surge. The NHC predicts surges of 10-15 feet in Tampa and other coastal areas, a life-threatening situation for anyone who remains in the storm’s path. Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, has ordered mandatory evacuations for people living near the bay, as well as those in mobile or manufactured homes. Florida officials have emphasized the importance of evacuating quickly, with Tampa Bay Mayor Jane Castor delivering a stark warning: "If you choose to stay... you are going to die."
In preparation for Milton’s arrival, long lines of traffic have clogged Florida’s highways as residents seek safety in other parts of the state. Interstate 75, the major route leading north, has been packed with cars as people flee the potentially catastrophic storm. Despite continued fuel deliveries to Florida, many gas stations in Tampa and Fort Myers have already run dry due to the high demand from evacuees.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the federal response to Hurricane Milton and has approved an emergency declaration for Florida. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is actively preparing to support communities that will be affected by the storm, ensuring resources are in place to provide immediate assistance. FEMA is also managing ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, which recently struck Florida.
Several airports in Florida have announced closures in anticipation of the hurricane. Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport both plan to shut down operations as the storm draws closer. In addition, schools and community centers in areas like St. Petersburg are being transformed into emergency shelters for displaced residents.
Meanwhile, Mexico has also begun mass evacuations in regions that are expected to be impacted by Milton before it reaches the U.S. mainland. Tourists and locals are being evacuated from low-lying areas like Holbox Island, which could be among the first places hit by the hurricane’s powerful winds and rains. Yucatan’s governor has ordered the suspension of all non-essential services, allowing only grocery stores, hospitals, and gas stations to remain open.
One key factor behind Hurricane Milton’s incredible power is its unusually small "pinhole eye." Storms with such tiny eyes tend to be more intense, as the wind has less room to lose energy, causing it to accelerate further. Milton’s eye, measuring just three miles in diameter, is among the smallest ever recorded for a storm of this magnitude. As a result, the hurricane’s central pressure has plummeted to 897 millibars, making it one of the most powerful hurricanes ever observed in the Atlantic.
