A US Coast Guard cutter heads south to Miami Beach, relocating in preparation for Milton’s landfall. Photo: US Coast Guard/Mike Winiarski
Florida has battened down as Hurricane Milton re-intensified to Category 5, for a second time, on Tuesday (all references US time).
Milton now has maximum wind speeds of 265km/h as it heads for landfall, according to the National Hurricane Centre.
It is expected to reach land from 2am-6am Thursday (US time) somewhere between Tampa Bay and Fort Meyers, according to a new NBC News forecast.
The projection has Sarasota closest to the current expected position.
If that occurs, a maximum storm surge of 3-4.5 metres feet could happen south of Sarasota, with almost no surge in Tampa Bay — the hurricane would blow water out of Tampa Bay, media reports say.
Widespread wind damage and power outages are expected south of the Interstate 4 corridor, along with 12 to 18 inches of rain, according to the forecast. That would cause significant flooding.
The US Army has reportedly activated troops and readied equipment in response to a request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, says NBC News.
The Army designated 30 high-wheel vehicles, helicopters and 100 active-duty forces to help with non-technical logistical support, NBC says.
POLLUTION FEARS
Hurricane Milton is expected to hit many of Florida’s major hazardous material facilities, according to media reports.
A map by Rice University’s Centre for Coastal Futures and Adaptive Resilience (CFAR) reveals major polluters lying in the path of the storm.
When the storm hits these sites, there are fears that the pollution may be distributed far and wide by the powerful winds and intense rainfall, a Newsweek report says.
These sites include concrete plants, electronic manufacturers and chemical plants, among many other facilities.
FUEL SUPPLIES
CNN reports that many gas stations in many areas of Florida are running out of fuel.
Demand surged as some residents in Milton’s path fuelled up before they evacuate while others who want to stay are trying to fill up for power generators.
One US fuel price tracking service reported that as of 6 pm Tuesday (US time), 19.7% of fuel stations statewide were without fuel compared to 3% the day before.
With about 7500 stations in the state, that estimate means there are about 1477 currently without fuel.
The situation was far worse in areas facing mandatory evacuation orders. In Fort Myers, 70% of stations were without gas as of Monday night.
DEBRIS DANGER
In Hillsborough County, Florida, Milton is approaching while “a lot” of debris from Hurricane Helene remains uncollected, said Kim Byer, assistant administrator of the county’s public works administration, Newsweek reports.
“We probably only picked up about 5% so far. Remember, it’s been less than two weeks,” she said.
Crews, including contractors, have been working to clear debris that piled up after Hurricane Helene but there haven’t been enough time or resources, she said.
“A lot of our contractors have gone to prep for Hurricane Milton,” Byer said.
Coastal parts of Hillsborough County, which is home to Tampa, are under a storm surge warning, and the whole county and a huge swath of the state under hurricane warnings.
