Hurricane Milton is gaining strength as it sets to slam into west-central Florida tomorrow. Reports say the storm could double in size, expecting 150 mph winds and life-threatening floods with up to 18 inches of rain.
Governor DeSantis has recommended families create safety plans and has already declared a state of emergency. For those looking to evacuate, United Airlines has added flights out of Orlando and Tampa airports to help people do so.
DeSantis said, “There’s no guarantee what the weather will be like starting Wednesday morning…You may have a window where it may be safe, but you may not. So use today as your day to finalize and execute the plan to protect you and your family.”
A specialist with the National Hurricane Center, John Cangialosi, issued an update earlier today, he said, “Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida”. He continued, saying that that heavy rain, winds, and flooding would extend further than just the west-central Florida.
AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter says, “Storm surge impacts from Milton could be even more significant [than Hurricane Helene]”. Due to Hurricane Helene that hit just two weeks ago, Florida, more specifically the South, is more vulnerable to destruction.
