Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm on Monday, threatening Florida’s Gulf Coast and putting the densely populated Tampa Bay region in the path of what could be a direct hit. Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged the same coastline, the area now faces a potentially catastrophic storm surge, heavy rainfall, and fierce winds.

Forecasters predict that Milton’s center could make landfall near Tampa on Wednesday, marking the first direct strike by a major hurricane in over a century. Although the storm may weaken slightly before landfall, it is expected to maintain hurricane strength as it travels across central Florida toward the Atlantic, largely sparing regions to the north that were devastated by Helene, which left at least 230 dead from Florida to the Appalachian Mountains.

“This is the real deal here with Milton,” warned Tampa Mayor Jane Castor during a press conference. “If you want to take on Mother Nature, she wins 100% of the time.”

Governor Urges Swift Cleanup Ahead of Milton

As Florida prepares for Milton’s arrival, Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the urgency of removing debris left behind by Hurricane Helene, fearing it could become deadly projectiles in the storm’s high winds.

“It’s imperative we clear this debris before Milton hits,” DeSantis said on Monday. Evacuation orders have already been issued, and forecasters warn of a potential 8- to 12-foot storm surge in Tampa Bay, with widespread flooding expected from 5 to 10 inches of rain across Florida and the Keys. Some areas could see up to 15 inches of rainfall, creating hazardous conditions for the 3.2 million residents in the Tampa metropolitan area.

Kerry Emanuel, a meteorology professor at MIT, highlighted the vulnerability of Tampa Bay, noting the region’s lack of experience with storms of this magnitude. “It’s a huge population. It’s very exposed, very inexperienced, and that’s a losing proposition,” Emanuel said.

Milton Gathers Strength in Gulf of Mexico

Milton, a compact yet powerful storm, intensified quickly over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph by Monday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm was located about 700 miles southwest of Tampa, moving east-southeast at 9 mph.

Much of Florida’s west coast, including Lake Okeechobee, remains under hurricane and storm surge watches, with hurricane warnings issued for parts of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

The Tampa Bay region is still reeling from Hurricane Helene, which caused 12 deaths and left a trail of destruction along barrier islands from St. Petersburg to Clearwater. In an effort to clear the remnants of Helene before Milton arrives, more than 300 vehicles were mobilized on Sunday to collect debris. However, cleanup crews faced delays when they found a landfill locked, forcing state troopers to break open the gate with a rope tied to a pickup truck.

“We don’t have time for bureaucracy and red tape,” DeSantis said.

Residents Prepare for Impact

Residents along Florida’s west coast are bracing for Milton’s arrival. Lifeguards in Pinellas County, located on the peninsula that forms Tampa Bay, have begun removing beach furniture and other items that could become dangerous in the storm’s winds. In many neighborhoods, appliances and furniture still await collection after being damaged by Helene’s storm surge.

Sarah Steslicki, a resident of Belleair Beach, voiced frustration over the delayed debris removal. “We’re facing another hurricane, and there’s still so much left to be picked up. It’s frustrating.”

As the state braces for Hurricane Milton, officials urge residents to heed evacuation orders and take necessary precautions to stay safe.

Residents in Seminole, Florida, Prepare Sandbags Ahead of Hurricane Milton’s Arrival, October 6, 2024 [Octavio Jones/Reuters]

The Caribbean region faces heightened threats as Tropical Storm Ernesto has now intensified into a hurricane, bringing with it the risk of significant flooding across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra, as heavy rains persist and dangerous conditions loom.

Early Wednesday morning, August 14, Ernesto was upgraded to a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center as it moved through the Atlantic Ocean north of Puerto Rico. The upgrade occurred around 11:00 AM local time when Ernesto’s maximum sustained winds reached 75 mph, as forecasters had predicted. The storm is expected to strengthen further, potentially becoming a major hurricane in the next couple of days.

As of 11:00 AM AST (1500 UTC), Hurricane Ernesto was positioned near latitude 20.5 North and longitude 67.6 West, approximately 175 miles (280 km) northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and around 835 miles (1340 km) south-southwest of Bermuda. The storm is currently moving northwest at 16 mph (26 km/h), with a turn toward the north-northwest and then north expected later today and tonight. The storm is forecasted to continue a generally northward motion at a slower pace through Saturday.

Ernesto’s maximum sustained winds have increased to 75 mph (120 km/h), with higher gusts reported, and the storm’s minimum central pressure has dropped to 991 mb (29.27 inches), signalling further intensification. Hurricane-force winds now extend up to 35 miles (55 km) from the storm’s center, while tropical-storm-force winds reach out as far as 230 miles (370 km).

The forecast track indicates that Ernesto will continue to move away from Puerto Rico today, gradually shifting across the western Atlantic over the next few days. The hurricane is expected to approach Bermuda by Friday and Saturday, potentially strengthening further as it progresses.

For residents in the affected areas, the combination of heavy rainfall and strong winds presents a serious threat. The persistent rains are likely to lead to significant flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and regions already saturated from previous downpours. Flooding could become widespread and severe, prompting local authorities to urge residents to remain vigilant and prepared.

The U.S. and British Virgin Islands, along with Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra, are advised to continue monitoring the situation closely, heed all warnings, and take necessary precautions to protect life and property. As Ernesto advances, the situation remains fluid, and updates from the National Hurricane Center and local disaster management agencies will be critical for ensuring safety.

As Tropical Storm Ernesto continues to impact the British Virgin Islands, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is urging all residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

Numerous trees have fallen, particularly in the countryside areas on the northern side of the islands, posing significant risks. Sightseeing is strongly discouraged, as there is a high likelihood of becoming trapped by debris.

Road crews are actively assessing the damage and working to clear debris from the roads. However, the all-clear has not yet been given. Residents are advised to stay off the roads until further notice. The DDM emphasises that the teams are prioritising the clearing of main roads first, but their safety is also paramount. The public is urged to exercise patience as these efforts continue.

Tropical Storm Ernesto, which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane, remains a serious threat. As of 2 a.m., the storm was located near latitude 19.0 North and longitude 66.0 West, approximately 86 miles west-northwest of Road Town. Moving northwest at 17 mph (28 km/h), the storm is expected to take a turn toward the north-northwest and then north, gradually decreasing in speed by Wednesday night and Thursday.

On its current trajectory, Ernesto is forecasted to pass to the northeast and north of Puerto Rico by early Wednesday, then move over the western Atlantic later in the week, potentially approaching Bermuda by Friday.

With maximum sustained winds now at 70 mph (110 km/h) and further strengthening anticipated, Ernesto is likely to become a hurricane by early Wednesday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km) from the center, and residents should be prepared for heavy rain, flash flooding, and hazardous marine conditions.

The Department of Disaster Management continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary. Residents are strongly encouraged to stay informed and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves and their property during this critical period.