As Florida braces for the arrival of Hurricane Milton, residents along the Gulf Coast are preparing for what could be a record-breaking storm surge. Following in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which caused severe flooding and destruction, Milton poses an even greater threat to the same region. With forecasters predicting storm surges of up to 15 feet, experts are urging residents to evacuate and take the storm seriously.
The Storm Surge Threat Explained
Storm surge refers to the abnormal rise in sea level caused by the storm’s winds, pushing water onto land. It is a major cause of flooding during hurricanes and can be far more destructive than wind alone. According to Craig Fugate, former director of FEMA, storm surge isn’t just rising water—it’s fast-moving and can hit with the force of a battering ram. “You just don’t want to be in that area,” Fugate said, noting that many lives were lost during Hurricane Helene due to people staying in surge-prone areas.
The surge is calculated based on how much higher the sea rises above normal tide levels. For example, a 15-foot storm surge could be accompanied by 10-foot waves, amplifying the devastation. This combination can easily destroy buildings, collapse bridges, and flatten entire communities.
High-Risk Areas on Florida’s Coast
Florida’s west coast, including the Tampa Bay area, is particularly vulnerable to storm surges due to its low-lying geography. While Tampa was spared a direct hit during Hurricane Helene, the city and its surrounding areas still suffered significant flooding. Now, with Hurricane Milton on a direct path toward the region, experts are warning that this surge could be even worse.
The area’s densely populated barrier islands, as well as cities like St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Naples, are at risk. A storm surge of 15 feet or more would lead to widespread flooding, and if Milton hits to the south of Tampa, cities that are still recovering from Hurricane Ian could face devastation again. The storm’s reach is also expected to extend well beyond Tampa, threatening regions as far north as Florida’s Big Bend and south into the Florida Keys.
The Lasting Impact of Hurricane Helene’s Debris
Even before Milton arrives, much of the debris left behind by Hurricane Helene remains scattered across Florida. Huge piles of storm-damaged trees, appliances, and household items still line many roads, posing additional risks. Local governments have been working to clear the debris, but officials fear that Hurricane Milton’s winds and storm surge could turn this debris into dangerous projectiles. Cars, furniture, and even houses could be swept away by the fast-moving water, increasing the destruction.
However, Fugate emphasized that while the debris may worsen property damage, the most important thing is for people to evacuate. “It won’t kill anybody if they evacuate,” he noted, urging residents to leave storm surge-prone areas before the storm hits.
Potential for Storm Weakening?
While there is always a chance that Hurricane Milton could weaken before making landfall, experts caution that a slight reduction in wind speed won’t significantly lessen the storm surge threat. Storm surge, unlike wind, builds up over time as the hurricane moves across the ocean, pushing water toward the shore. As Fugate explained, “Wind doesn’t have memory, storm surge does.” Even if Milton drops from a Category 5 to a Category 3 storm, the surge will still carry the momentum built up by the storm.
Moreover, the region’s creeks, canals, and rivers could exacerbate flooding, pushing water further inland and affecting areas that are typically less vulnerable to coastal flooding. This adds to the complexity of the threat, as storm surge may reach far beyond the immediate coastline.
Preparing for the Worst
As Hurricane Milton barrels toward the coast, officials are urging residents to heed evacuation warnings and avoid becoming fixated on the storm’s category rating. While wind speed gets much of the attention, storm surge poses the deadliest threat. Local authorities and weather services are continuously updating residents on the areas most at risk and urging everyone in those zones to leave.
With millions of people living in harm’s way and significant debris still on the ground, Hurricane Milton’s potential to wreak havoc is enormous. Preparation, evacuation, and awareness of the storm surge threat are critical as the region braces for another major hurricane just weeks after Helene’s destruction.
Source:
https://www.ttnews.com/articles/hurricane-milton-storm-surge
Leave a Comment