Hurricane Milton: Florida Braces for Impact

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Latest details on Hurricane Milton with landfall expected in Florida

CBS News

Oct 9, 2024

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News & Politics

Hurricane Milton threatens Florida's west coast

  1. Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida, bringing with it the threat of lethal storm surges, strong winds, and potential tornadoes. The storm is expected to be life-threatening and devastating, particularly to the state's west coast.
  2. Mass evacuations are underway as residents prepare for the storm. Some areas are experiencing gas shortages as people either hunker down or flee to safety. Residents living close to water and in flood zones are particularly concerned about flooding.
  3. The hurricane is currently a Category 5 storm with winds reaching up to 160 miles per hour. It is visible from the International Space Station, covering much of the Gulf of Mexico. Although it may weaken to a Category 3 storm, it is expected to double in size before making landfall late tonight or early Thursday.
  4. Tom Hanson is reporting from Daytona Beach, Florida, emphasizing the importance of disseminating evacuation information. The report highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for residents to heed evacuation orders.

Hurricane Milton prompts evacuations in Florida

  1. Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida, causing mass evacuations as it moves across the Gulf Coast. The storm is expected to decrease in strength from a Category 3 to a Category 1 upon reaching Daytona Beach, but officials are still taking it very seriously.
  2. Volusia County, where Daytona Beach is located, has issued a mandatory evacuation order. This order is also in effect for the county to the north, with evacuations set to begin at 8:00 A.M. The path of the storm will significantly impact the storm surge on Florida's eastern coast.
  3. Reports indicate fuel shortages as people evacuate. A reporter described an eerie scene of empty highways, typically busy, as evacuees move inland from areas like Sarasota on Florida's western side.

Fuel shortages and evacuations in Florida

  1. The text highlights the significant issue of fuel shortages in Florida as residents prepare for Hurricane Milton. Many gas stations have run out of fuel, with plastic bags covering the pumps, indicating they are empty. This shortage is causing long lines at the few stations that still have fuel, such as a Wawa station near Orlando, which eventually also ran out of gas.
  2. Tom Hanson reports from Daytona Beach, Florida, providing real-time updates on the situation. He notes the urgency and anxiety among Floridians as they brace for the impending storm, emphasizing the critical need for fuel as part of their preparations.
  3. Sandra Tapfumaneyi, the Emergency Management Chief of Sarasota County, discusses the current fuel situation and evacuation efforts. She confirms that some stations still have fuel, but urges residents to fill up immediately as time is running out before the storm hits.
  4. Tapfumaneyi also mentions the expected arrival of tropical storm force winds by mid-afternoon, stressing the importance of evacuating promptly. She highlights the urgency of the situation, advising residents to take action without delay.
  5. An additional concern is the debris left from a previous storm, Helene, which poses a danger during the upcoming hurricane. The text implies that cleanup efforts have been ongoing, but the presence of debris adds another layer of risk to the situation.

Hurricane Milton poses significant challenges

  1. Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida, causing mass evacuations as it moves across the Gulf Coast. The urgency is heightened by the recent impact of Hurricane Helene, which struck just two weeks prior, leaving little time for debris cleanup.
  2. Sarasota County is facing significant challenges due to leftover debris from Hurricane Helene. Local authorities and municipalities have been working tirelessly to clear as much debris as possible before Hurricane Milton's arrival.
  3. Community efforts are highlighted, with neighbors helping each other to remove debris using pickup trucks, showcasing a strong sense of cooperation and resilience among residents.
  4. Sandra Tapfumaneyi, Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief, emphasizes the importance of community cooperation during such crises. She shares personal insights, mentioning that she evacuated her family to ensure their safety while she remains to manage the emergency response.
  5. The conversation underscores the emotional and logistical challenges faced by emergency officials who must balance professional duties with personal concerns for their families' safety.

Evacuate immediately due to Hurricane Milton

  1. Mass evacuations are underway in Florida as Hurricane Milton approaches, with Sarasota County officials urging residents in evacuation zones A, B, and C, as well as those in mobile homes and boats, to leave immediately. The storm poses a significant threat with a potential 15 feet of storm surge, high winds, and up to 18 inches of rain, making it extremely dangerous to stay.
  2. CBS News correspondent Tom Hanson reports from Florida, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the preparations being made by local officials to ensure public safety. Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi emphasizes the importance of evacuating to avoid the life-threatening conditions expected from the storm.
  3. CBS News meteorologist David Yeomans provides a forecast, describing Hurricane Milton as potentially the strongest hurricane to hit West Central Florida, surpassing previous storms like Charlie and Ian. He warns that those who choose to stay will lose access to emergency services and could face prolonged power outages.
  4. The hurricane is currently a Category 5 storm, as seen on satellite images, indicating its severe intensity and the need for immediate action to protect lives and property.

Hurricane Milton threatens Florida with severe impact

  1. Hurricane Milton is currently experiencing some wind shear, which is attempting to disrupt its organization, but it has not weakened yet. The hurricane maintains a strength of 160 miles per hour and is approximately 300 miles away from Tampa, moving quickly towards it.
  2. The forecast predicts that Hurricane Milton will not reach Category 5 status upon landfall. Instead, it is expected to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, which would be the strongest to hit the Tampa Bay area in at least 100 years, with winds reaching 130 miles per hour.
  3. The most likely path of the hurricane is into Tampa Bay or slightly south of it. It is expected to maintain its hurricane intensity as it moves swiftly across the narrow Florida peninsula and then head out to sea, ceasing to be a threat to the U.S.
  4. A major concern with Hurricane Milton is the storm surge, which could reach 10 to 15 feet towards Tampa. This surge could potentially double the ocean level rise experienced during Hurricane Helene, which was 7 feet, marking a record high since the 1840s.
  5. As the storm approaches, Florida is experiencing breezy conditions with increasing wind speeds. By 2:00, tropical storm force winds are expected to dominate, necessitating the completion of preparations overnight.
  6. Stronger winds are anticipated near the storm's core, with gusts likely exceeding 110 miles per hour by early morning. Hurricane force winds are possible in Orlando and along the coast.
  7. There is also a significant inland flooding threat, with up to 18 inches of rain possible, posing a high risk of flooding.

Hurricane Milton prompts Florida evacuations

  1. Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida, causing mass evacuations as it moves across the Gulf Coast. The hurricane is expected to make landfall soon, prompting local authorities to take precautionary measures.
  2. CBS News correspondent Tom Hanson is reporting from Florida, providing updates on the situation. His reports focus on the current conditions and the response from local communities as they prepare for the hurricane's impact.
  3. Sandra Tapfumaneyi, the Emergency Management Chief of Sarasota County, is actively involved in coordinating the preparations. She discusses the steps being taken by local officials to ensure the safety of residents, including evacuation plans and emergency services readiness.
  4. Meteorologist David Yeomans from CBS News Chicago provides a detailed forecast of Hurricane Milton. His analysis includes the expected path of the hurricane, potential impact areas, and weather conditions that residents should anticipate.
  5. The report emphasizes the importance of having a battery-powered radio for those near Tampa, as it will be crucial for receiving updates and information during power outages caused by the hurricane.