Hurricane Milton, More Ferocious Than Helen, Threatens US with 270 km/h Winds

Hurricane Milton is set to hit Florida on the night of October 9, prompting widespread preparations across the United States. How are residents gearing up to face this storm?

A New Meteorological Threat to the United States

The United States, still reeling from the destructive Hurricane Helene, is now bracing for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Milton, which has undergone “explosive” intensification near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Florida in the Crosshairs

Already hard-hit by Helene, Florida faces another severe threat as Category 4 Hurricane Milton barrels toward it. Meteorologists warn that if Milton stays on its current path, Tampa could see its most catastrophic impact in over a century.

The cyclone, with “destructive winds” up to 270 km/h, is expected to make landfall in Florida between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Residents, still shaken from the last storm, are anxiously preparing for another fierce battle with nature.

Evacuation in Florida after Hurricane Milton😯pic.twitter.com/GDMorbo29r

— Sachiin Ramdas Suryavanshi (@sachiinv7) October 8, 2024

Authorities Mobilizing

In response to the looming threat, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has urged residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate. Toll fees have been waived to facilitate movement, and 51 of Florida’s 67 counties are under a state of emergency declaration.

A Troubling Climate Context

Scientists point to climate change as a key factor increasing the risk of rapid storm intensification and more powerful hurricanes, with North Atlantic temperatures reaching record highs for over a year, heightening concerns.

This situation is particularly alarming as rescue operations continue to assist the numerous victims of Hurricane Helene, the deadliest to hit the continental United States since Katrina in 2005.