Hurricane Milton caught my eye because it began in the Pacific Ocean, passed over the Mexican land mass, and then entered the Gulf of Mexico. It is now a Category 1 hurricane expected to make landfall along the Florida peninsula sometime on Wednesday, 9th October.
The Florida State Emergency Response Team is already preparing for and expecting to carry out the largest mass evacuation since 2017.
Do not underestimate the likely destruction this storm could bring. Be prepared for whatever may come. Florida State Governer Ron DeSantis has promptly declared a state of emergency, allowing the free flow of money and resources to ensure early preparation can benefit as many as possible.
Hurricane Milton is expected to strengthen over the coming days and like Helena just 3 weeks ago, make landfall as a Category 4 Hurricane. But for some along the Florida Peninsula, this could be even worse, for these key reasons:
1: The projected trajectory of this storm takes it directly over the Florida peninsula from West to East, entering from the Gulf of Mexico on the West Coast and leaving the East coast into the Atlantic Ocean.
This is a far less common trajectory for these storms, and much less data is available for modelling this kind of scenario. Because of this path, the storm surge along the West Coast of Florida is predicted to be greater than 10ft in areas near the center of the storm path, potentially devastating to many coastal communities not used to or experienced in dealing with large storm surges.
2: Florida prepares for this event while they are still cleaning up the wreckage from Helene. This wreckage, whipped up in the chaos of another powerful hurricane, becomes lethal and can destroy property more seriously than the wind itself. Not only does the debris become flying destruction but the recent flooding from Helena has also blocked many drainage channels and storm drains with sand and silt. Despite amazing work by Florida Division of Emergency Management, there will still be blockages when Milton arrives and will likely add more floodwater. This could lead to surface flooding in areas not usually affected or higher than expected flood levels.
So what can you do? Today I will deal with Domestic Customers.
Domestic Households;
PREPARE TO EVACUATE! Areas within the 'cone' or the area of predicted storm travel should get ready to evacuate immediately, with no exceptions.
Anywhere else in Florida, outside the cone should also PREPARE TO EVACUATE!
Get your sandbags (normally 10-15 bags provided by county, and bring your own spade!)
Make sure your entire family knows the plan, including seniors and children.
Know your evacuation zone; this is different from your flood zone. To find your zone, click here: https://lnkd.in/eJRN7Ujq.
Business Customers - Click here: https://lnkd.in/ebgvAQiC
Preparation is key.
Debris removal is a local government process. However, given TS Milton's anticipated approach, Florida is mobilizing state assets to supplement debris removal along the Gulf Coast. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has provided the Division pre-approval for any necessary debris sites.
As more crews continue to mobilize, please give them space to operate.
Spreading positivity and knowledge with my skills in editing, animation, and cinematography.
4moHow about that, *and* we nationalize their tracks, and they can rent them back when they need them?