Florida’s Gulf Coast is getting its second major hurricane in as many weeks, expected to hit on Wednesday.
Hurricane Milton It is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast late Wednesday. Florida is under a hurricane and storm surge watch, with officials urging residents to evacuate and prepare for power outages and life-threatening storm surge.
As of Sunday, 51 counties including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Miami-Dade and Broward were under a state of emergency. The Tampa Bay area has not experienced a major Category 3 or higher hurricane within 50 miles of Tampa in more than a century. Hurricane Milton was expected to be a Category 3 storm when it hit Wednesday.
“Milton will be a historic storm on Florida’s west coast,” the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay said in a statement. briefing. As of Monday morning, October 7, 2024, Hurricane Milton has sustained winds in excess of 155 mph and is currently a Category 5 storm. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in several counties as officials prepare for storm surge along the Gulf Coast. Widespread power outages are expected, and officials are urging residents to stock up on essentials.
Airport closed
Tampa International Airport Announced closing at 11pm on Tuesday, October 8th. Officials announced that all commercial and cargo operations at the airport will be suspended effective 9 a.m. Tuesday.
The airport will not be open to the public or serve as a shelter for people or vehicles during the storm and is expected to remain closed until damage from Hurricane Milton is assessed after it passes through the Tampa Bay area.
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport It was also announced that it would close at 11pm on Tuesday.
Cruise ship updates in port
As of Sunday, October 6, 2024, Port of Tampa Bay “Work with the National Weather Service, U.S. Coast Guard, and state and local partners to monitor the potential impacts of Hurricane Milton on the Gulf. As always, the Port’s top priorities are life safety, environmental protection and maritime commerce resiliency.”
The port also provides a customer service line carnival, margaritaville-on-sea and royal caribbeanall scheduled to sail from the Port of Tampa Bay this week.
Helen wanders in destruction
Just weeks ago, the Florida Panhandle, a popular tourist destination, was hit by Hurricane Helene, severely disrupting travel plans in coastal towns across the region. In western North Carolina, the town of Asheville and nearly all surrounding communities are currently off-limits.
In a travel advisory statement Visit North Carolinarecommending that visitors “call their travel provider to confirm alternative travel plans” to the area and avoid mountainous areas in western North Carolina that have been hit by flooding, landslides, road closures and downed trees.
“If you are unable to contact your travel provider, you should assume they are unable to provide services and postpone your travel until you have confirmation that they are open and ready to welcome visitors,” the statement said.
The Florida Panhandle is gradually recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. While some areas suffered severe damage, many popular tourist destinations are now open to visitors. Despite widespread flooding and power outages, popular beaches, state parks and attractions are once again welcoming visitors. Local communities are working hard to rebuild and repair infrastructure and ensure a return to normalcy.
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