Florida is ramping up preparations as it braces for a powerful storm set to hit the state’s western peninsula by midweek.
Tropical Storm Milton strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday, prompting expanded emergency measures.
The storm’s arrival comes just days after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across Florida and other southeastern states, including North Carolina. The death toll from Helene stands at 230, with more fatalities expected.
Milton is forecast to intensify, potentially reaching Category 3 or higher before making landfall late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
The National Weather Service warns of life-threatening storm surges and damaging winds, urging residents to heed evacuation orders.
Emergency management officials distribute sandbags as communities prepare for severe storm impacts.Florida’s emergency management director, Kevin Guthrie, stressed the importance of evacuation, calling it the largest since Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Around 6.8 million people were evacuated during Irma, and officials anticipate similar numbers for Milton.
Counties on Florida’s west coast are gearing up for flooding, with Pinellas County issuing mandatory evacuations for hospitals and assisted living facilities. Pasco County also ordered evacuations for flood-prone areas starting Monday morning.
Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged that Florida will be severely impacted by Milton. State crews, including 4,000 National Guard troops, are already working to clear debris from Hurricane Helene in preparation for the next storm.
In addition to Florida, southeastern states like South Carolina and North Carolina are preparing for potential effects, including high surf and strong winds.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has deployed 500 more troops to hurricane-affected areas in North Carolina, bringing the total to 1,500 active-duty troops, alongside 6,000 National Guard personnel and 7,000 federal workers.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resources are being stretched thin due to the back-to-back hurricanes, though officials insist they have enough capacity to manage ongoing and future disasters this hurricane season.