Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified from a tropical storm to a category 5 hurricane, making it one of the strongest storms to threaten the US. Florida is bracing for impact as the storm is expected to make landfall on the central Gulf coast, with sustained winds of 155mph. President Joe Biden has warned that it could be one of the worst storms in 100 years to hit Florida. With up to 15ft of storm surge expected, authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders for 6 million people across 11 counties in Florida. The storm has already caused heavy rain and flooding in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Experts attribute the rapid intensification of Hurricane Milton to the heat content of the ocean and atmosphere, providing more energy to the storm. Governor Ron DeSantis has activated thousands of national guards and search and rescue teams, with preparations underway for potential catastrophic damage and power outages. As Florida prepares for the impact of Hurricane Milton, it serves as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and severity of hurricanes due to the climate crisis. Residents are urged to follow safety instructions and evacuation orders to ensure their safety amid the approaching storm.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
live updates: Florida residents urged to evacuate as Hurricane Milton poses life-threatening threat
