Hurricane Milton has intensified into a dangerous Category 5 storm over the Atlantic Ocean as of Monday. Currently, it poses a significant threat to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
Florida is still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helen, and local authorities have ordered residents to evacuate to prevent damage from Hurricane Milton.
The storm's center has maximum sustained winds of 180 mph, making it the most powerful on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Milton was classified as a tropical storm on Sunday evening but quickly escalated to a Category 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours.
After making landfall in Florida, the hurricane is expected to weaken. However, local authorities in counties along the western coast have already issued emergency evacuation orders due to the anticipated severe winds, heavy rainfall, and 12-foot high storm surges.
The hurricane is forecasted to strike near the metropolitan area of Tampa Bay, home to over 3 million residents. Pinellas County has mandated the evacuation of over 500,000 people, while other counties have directed residents from low-lying areas to seek higher ground.
Officials are concerned about potential traffic jams and long lines at gas stations as people rush to safety in response to the urgent evacuation orders. There is a strong call to take the hurricane seriously.
The effects of Hurricane Milton have already begun to manifest in the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula, especially in tourist areas and ports. The hurricane center has warned of a possible 6-foot rise in water levels due to storm surges.
As of last night at 3 AM, the storm was located 80 miles west-northwest of the port city of Progreso in the Yucatán and 675 miles southwest of Tampa Bay, moving eastward at 10 mph.
The hurricane center also stated that the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula could experience hurricane-force winds and destructive waves tonight. As Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast, it may grow in size and remain in a highly dangerous state.
Milton is the ninth hurricane of the season and is the second Category 5 storm to form in the Atlantic this year, following Hurricane Bear.
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