Forecasts of unprecedented destructive power of superstorm Milton are making millions of Americans 'hold their breath'

Unprecedented warning of Hurricane Milton for the US state of Florida

Satellite image of Hurricane Milton on October 8 - Photo: CNN

According to CNN, Hurricane Milton is approaching the Florida coast as a Category 5 storm - the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Hurricane Milton has sustained winds of up to 270 km/h. As of 7pm on October 8 (US time), the storm's eye was 710 km southwest of Tampa, Florida, moving at a speed of 17 km/h to the east-northeast.

The storm is expected to make landfall in Florida late on October 9 into the early morning of October 10. Forecasters are urging residents not to let their guard down and to be prepared for last-minute changes in the storm’s path.

Florida's populous West Coast, still reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago, is now bracing for the landfall of Hurricane Milton in the Tampa Bay area.

If Hurricane Milton makes a direct hit on Tampa Bay, it would be the first time since 1921 that this has happened.

According to the spokesperson of the World Meteorological Organization WMO, Ms. Clare Nullis, WMO has run out of adjectives to describe Hurricane Milton while using words such as unprecedented, catastrophic, historic, and record-breaking to talk about this super storm.

It is worth noting that in addition to Milton, according to Ms. Nullis, there are currently two other storms in the Atlantic, which are Hurricane Leslie and Hurricane Kirk.

According to the US National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Milton’s wind field is expected to expand as it approaches Florida. In fact, official forecasts suggest the storm’s winds could double by the time it makes landfall.

The storm also poses the risk of storm surge for hundreds of miles along the coast, with water levels rising 10 to 15 feet north and south of Tampa Bay. In addition, the storm carries the risk of flash flooding inland due to heavy rainfall.

Americans are vigilant, complying with evacuation orders

People buy wooden panels to reinforce their houses before storm Milton - Photo: REUTERS

Amid the danger of Hurricane Milton, US President Joe Biden has urged people in evacuation zones in Florida that they need to evacuate immediately.

"I have been briefed by senior administration leaders and we are ramping up our preparations for Hurricane Milton. This could be one of the worst storms in 100 years for Florida," the US leader said from the White House.

In an update on Hurricane Milton on October 8, President Biden emphasized: "You should evacuate immediately. This is a matter of survival and not hyperbole."

President Biden announced on October 8 that he would cancel his trip to Germany and Angola to stay and monitor the progress of Hurricane Milton.

Learning from Hurricane Helene, many Americans were well prepared and evacuated as required.

In Tampa, Estephani Veliz Hernandez said she and her family were packing up pets, important documents and cash before heading to a relative's house further inland.

"We're leaving everything behind. We're just trying to get to safety. If something happens, at least we're together," she said.

Ken Wood, a ferry operator in Florida, was preparing to evacuate with his cat. Two weeks ago, Wood defied evacuation orders during Hurricane Helene and endured a terrifying hour. “We’re not going to make the same mistake again,” he said.

Many people also rushed to fill up their tanks. According to market tracker GasBuddy, about 17% of Florida’s nearly 8,000 gas stations were out of fuel by the end of the day on October 8.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/du-bao-suc-cong-pha-chua-tung-co-cua-sieu-bao-milton-dang-khien-hang-trieu-nguoi-my-nin-tho-172241009093200117.htm