Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene hit, Florida is bracing for the impact of a second explosive hurricane. Hurricane Milton strengthened at record speed in the Gulf of Mexico, reaching Category 5, the maximum level. This hurricane, one of the most violent ever observed, is expected to directly hit the city of Tampa on Wednesday, where evacuation has begun.
Florida, already tested by the passage of hurricane Helene which left 230 dead, is preparing to go through a meteorological phenomenon which promises to be even harsher. Hurricane Milton is expected to hit the American state this Wednesday, after having strengthened at a run in the abnormally warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, to the point of being classified category 5 on theSaffir-Simpson scalethe maximum level. Although it was downgraded to category 4 by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), it nonetheless remains “extremely dangerous”, maintains the meteorological studies center.
“Without any dramatization…those who refuse to evacuate will die”
Milton is a hurricane fierce », Warned Republican Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday. “ You have time to leave. So please do it “, he urged residents of at-risk areas. To facilitate these evacuations, the Florida authorities have announced that they will make tolls free. Milton is expected to cross the state from southwest to northeast. Of Florida’s 67 counties, 51 are under a state of emergency order.
Read more on RFI
