Despite weakening, Hurricane Milton remains “extremely dangerous” ahead of its landfall in Florida.
L’uragano Miltoncoming from the Gulf of Mexico, is skimming the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, and is rapidly approaching the west coast of Florida, in the southern United States. Milton generated winds exceeding 170 miles per hour, making it difficult for affected areas, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported.
Comparison with Hurricane Helene
On Monday, Milton was initially reclassified as a Category 5 hurricane, the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scalewhich measures the intensity of hurricanes. However, a weather update caused it to fall back to Category 4 on Tuesday. This makes it similar to Helene, which recently hit Florida with winds of up to 140 miles per hour and caused more than 200 deaths. Currently, it is forecast that Milton may be downgraded to Category 3 before making landfall in Florida on Wednesday, with winds that could drop to a maximum of 130 miles per hour.
What should we expect
they represent a serious risk, as speeds above 90 kilometers per hour are already considered dangerous. These winds can break tree branches, lift tiles from roofs and move heavy objects, putting the safety of people and property at risk. Milton is already causing heavy rainfall in at least ten Mexican states, according to the National Water Commission (Conagua), and has led Mexican civil protection to issue red and orange alerts for several areas in the north and Yucatán.
Mass evacuations in Florida
In Florida, numerous counties have issued evacuation orders, urging residents to move to safer areas. The roads are already congested, with long queues at petrol stations and supermarkets. Thousands of people have abandoned their homes, seeking refuge in hotels or with friends and relatives.
Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said the state is preparing for the largest evacuation since 2017, when Hurricane Irma hit Florida, causing 123 deaths. Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 51 of the 67 counties, while President Joe Biden approved the sending of federal aid.
The consequences for Mexico
Mexico is also preparing for Milton’s passage. The authorities issued red alert for 69 municipalities in the north of the country and orange alert for another 37 municipalities in Yucatán. Although the hurricane’s trajectory appears to follow a path parallel to the coast, limiting direct impact on the mainland, the authorities still invite the inhabitants of the most exposed areas, such as Progreso and Río Lagartos, to find safe shelter.
Read more
- Consultation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
