(TheProudRepublic.com) – In the alarming aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Governor Ron DeSantis alerted that Hurricane Milton is threatening Florida’s Gulf Coast with catastrophic winds and storm surges.
The Category 4 monster is barreling towards Tampa Bay, forcing mass evacuations and school closures. This potential disaster comes as many Floridians are still reeling from Hurricane Helene’s recent devastation.
Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, posing a severe threat to Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The storm is expected to make landfall near Tampa Bay by early Thursday, bringing life-threatening storm surges of 8-12 feet and up to 15 inches of rain across parts of the Florida Peninsula and Keys.
Governor Ron DeSantis has taken swift action, issuing emergency declarations for 51 counties and emphasizing the critical importance of early evacuation.
“Have a plan, execute the plan,” DeSantis told a news conference. “You certainly can leave now. You don’t have to wait to get an evacuation order.”
Mandatory evacuations are already underway in some areas, including Anna Maria and Pinellas County.
In turn, schools and colleges in affected areas, including all public schools in Collier County and Pinellas County, have closed.
The National Weather Service warns of catastrophic wind damage in coastal Gulf counties,
underscoring the severity of the situation.
“You have time to prepare — all day today, all day Monday, probably all day Tuesday to be sure your hurricane preparedness plan is in place,” DeSantis stated.
“If you’re on that west coast of Florida, barrier islands, just assume you’ll be asked to leave,” he added.
Milton’s approach is unusual, coming from the West – a rare occurrence since 1850.
This, coupled with the fact that the Atlantic currently has three hurricanes simultaneously for the first time on record after September (Kirk, Leslie, and Milton), points to the increasing unpredictability and intensity of hurricane seasons.
Meanwhile, climate alarmists are quick to attribute the rapid intensification of hurricanes like Milton to record-warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, which they claim is due to climate change.
However, many conservatives remain skeptical of such claims, viewing them as attempts to push a political agenda rather than focus on immediate disaster preparedness and response.
Florida is preparing for a large-scale evacuation reminiscent of Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Emergency fuel and charging stations are being staged along evacuation routes to assist fleeing residents.
Up to 4,000 National Guard troops have been mobilized to assist with preparations, demonstrating the state’s commitment to protecting its citizens.
As Hurricane Milton approaches, South Florida is already experiencing early impacts, including flooding in Miami-Dade County and the Everglades.
This serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust infrastructure and flood management systems, issues that conservative leaders have long advocated for but often face resistance from environmental activists.
In the face of this impending natural disaster, Floridians are once again demonstrating their resilience and community spirit.
Copyright 2024, TheProudRepublic.com