“Tampa Bay’s Century-Long Hurricane Luck May Run Out with Milton”.hienca

Hurricane Milton, though slightly weakened on Tuesday, still poses a significant threat to Tampa Bay as it moves closer to Florida’s west coast. With winds at 145 mph (230 kph), the storm could become the first major hurricane to hit the region directly since 1921. Residents are bracing for storm surges as high as 15 feet and preparing for potential debris projectiles left by Hurricane Helene just 12 days ago.

Florida officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis, have urged residents to evacuate from vulnerable areas, assuring them that they don’t need to travel far. Many, however, like Martin Oakes from Apollo Beach and Ralph Douglas from Ruskin, are choosing to stay put, confident in their preparations. DeSantis has also emphasized efforts to clear debris, deploying over 300 dump trucks to remove remnants from Helene to prevent further danger.

As Milton approaches, the National Hurricane Center has downgraded the storm to a Category 4 but still warns of “extremely serious” threats. The storm is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday night, with evacuation orders in place for coastal communities.

With President Biden’s emergency declaration and the mobilization of 7,000 federal workers, Florida is on high alert. First responders are not expected to aid those who choose to remain during the height of the storm. The storm’s effects are likely to be felt across much of the state as Milton tracks toward the Atlantic, potentially bringing up to 18 inches of rain.