2024-10-08 01:28:34
About a week and a half after “Helene,” Florida prepares for the next dangerous hurricane. “Milton” gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico, off the west coast of the United States, and is now a Category 5 hurricane with sustained wind speeds of up to about 175 miles per hour.
According to forecasts, the storm will first extend over the Mexican Yucatán peninsula and then hit the western coast of Florida during the night between Wednesday and Thursday. The storm poses an “extremely serious” threat to Florida and is life-threatening, authorities said. According to US media, “Milton” is one of the strongest hurricanes in the history of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Forecasters expect the storm to hit the Sunshine State’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane with wind speeds of up to 209 kilometers per hour. Despite its decreasing strength, Milton remains dangerous as it is expected to grow in size and affect a large area. The cities of Naples, Fort Meyers and Tampa are particularly at risk.
Record storm
Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes ever recorded in the region, the National Hurricane Center said. Normally dry areas near the coast could be inundated by rising waters. Storm surges with water levels of up to five meters and destructive winds are expected.
A strong storm surge was already forecast for Florida’s west coast Tuesday evening or early Wednesday, with waters in Tampa likely to rise as high as 12 feet (3.6 meters).
“Get out as soon as possible. “Don’t wait,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned. While “Helene” brought mostly water, “Milton” will also bring strong wind. Florida’s airports have announced they will suspend air traffic for the foreseeable future. Tampa airport, for example, plans to close starting this Tuesday, Orlando airport on Wednesday. The White House announced support for Florida. US President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency for the state of Florida. This will release federal relief funds in affected regions.
In the Mexican state of Yucatán, residents also prepared for the hurricane’s arrival. Workers barricaded glass doors and windows, fishermen pulled their boats ashore. Schools were also closed. ON
I just met “Helene”.
Florida is still dealing with the damage left by Hurricane Helene. About a week and a half ago, “Helene” made landfall in Northwest Florida as a Category II hurricane. The storm then weakened, but caused severe flooding and destruction as it moved north. At least 225 people have died in six states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, “Helene” was the most severe storm to hit the continental United States in 50 years.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump exploited the disaster for his election campaign and accused Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris of not doing enough for the victims. Harris is running for the Democrats against Trump in the November 5 presidential election. Both Biden and Harris visited the disaster area several times last week.
Biden’s trip to Germany under scrutiny
Biden actually wants to travel to Germany this Thursday. According to his spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, these plans are currently in place. But when asked whether Biden was considering a postponement or cancellation, she responded evasively. “The president is following the situation very, very closely,” he told reporters, referring to the storm. “I have nothing to report about any changes in his travel or schedule. If this is the case, we will of course inform you.”
Biden wants to land in Germany late Thursday. Meetings with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz are planned in Berlin. Biden wants to travel to Rhineland-Palatinate on Saturday. There, at the American Ramstein air base, the Ukrainian summit will take place, to which the US president invited citizens. The 81-year-old would then like to travel to Angola.
Hurricane season lasts until the end of November
Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean waters. According to experts, increasing global warming is increasing the likelihood of severe storms. The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1 and lasts until November 30. Storms are named in alphabetical order.
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