Since 1921, no significant storm has made landfall in Tampa Bay, Milton could be the one
Milton is expected to bring up to 18 inches of rain across central Florida, while sparing other states hit by Hurricane Helene, which killed at least 230 people.
Work crews in Florida scrambled to clear debris from a previous hurricane on Tuesday as another storm, Hurricane Milton, approached. Thousands of people fled the Tampa Bay region, fearing a rare direct hit from the powerful Category 4 storm, which is expected to hit late Wednesday or early Thursday.
Milton, though slightly weakened, still poses a significant threat, with potential for dangerous storm surges and winds strong enough to turn debris left by Hurricane Helene into hazardous projectiles.
Nick Szabo, clearing debris in Clearwater Beach, warned, “All this crap is going to be missiles. It’s like a spear coming at you.” Szabo and his team have been hauling away waterlogged furniture and appliances, removing 260 tons of debris the previous day alone.
Governor Ron DeSantis stated that more than 300 dump trucks have removed over 1,200 loads of debris. Crews are working around the clock, and evacuation orders were issued for areas near the bay and for mobile homes. DeSantis assured residents that they could evacuate short distances inland and that gas supplies would be sufficient for travel.
Despite the warnings, some residents, like Martin Oakes of Apollo Beach and Ralph Douglas of Ruskin, opted to stay put, citing concerns about running out of fuel or being blocked by debris on their return.
The National Hurricane Center downgraded Milton to a Category 4 hurricane on Tuesday, though it still poses a serious threat, with winds of 155 mph as it moves toward Florida. Forecasters warned of a possible 15-foot storm surge in Tampa Bay, triggering evacuations for beach communities along the coast.
The state has evacuated over 200 healthcare facilities, and more than 30 shelters are open. The Tampa airport saw stranded travelers, including John Fedor and his wife, who missed multiple flights home to Philadelphia after an unplanned two-mile walk to the airport.
Milton is expected to bring up to 18 inches of rain across central Florida, while sparing other states hit by Hurricane Helene, which killed at least 230 people.
Tampa Bay has not experienced a direct hit from a major hurricane since 1921, and authorities worry the region’s luck may be running out. President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida, postponing a planned trip to Germany and Angola to monitor the storm's impact.
Officials urged residents to heed evacuation orders. Deanne Criswell, FEMA administrator, emphasized the need to move inland to avoid harm. Despite lingering doubts from previous storms like Ian, where surges failed to materialize, many people began leaving the area Monday, causing heavy traffic on the roads.
As Milton approaches, Florida’s entire west coast is under hurricane or tropical storm warnings, with storm-surge warnings extending to Florida’s east coast. Areas as far as the Bahamas are also bracing for potential impact.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula reported only minor damage from the storm, which stayed offshore. Power lines and trees were downed, and small structures were damaged, but no injuries were reported.
