Hurricane Milton Hits Cat 5, Escape Flights Sell Out

October 7, 2024 Climate Change, Weather

ABC News reports:

Hurricane Milton strengthened to a Category 5 storm on Monday as it takes aim at Florida’s west coast. Landfall is expected as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Milton is closing in as Floridians are still recovering from the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene.

A record-breaking storm surge of 8 to 12 feet is forecast for the Tampa Bay area. This comes as Floridians are still cleaning up from the record-setting 6 to 8 feet of storm surge that was just unleashed by Hurricane Helene. A hurricane watch has been issued for Tampa, Orlando and Fort Myers.

The Tampa Bay Times reports:

For Tampa Bay residents, the window has nearly passed to book an emergency flight out of town ahead of the storm.

Delta Air Lines, for example, had no remaining Monday flights from Tampa to Atlanta as of 10:30 a.m. Customers would have to shell out more than $800 for a roundabout Delta flight to Washington, D.C. later Monday evening — and there was only one flight left at that price.

American Airlines flights to Atlanta on Monday ranged from $641 to more than $2,400. Each flight had at most one or two seats remaining. American, Delta, Allegiant, Frontier, JetBlue, United, Southwest and Spirit airlines have all issued travel advisories as Hurricane Milton approaches.

Tampa’s Fox affiliate reports:

FOX 13 Chief Meteorologist Paul Dellegatto warns that even if Milton does weaken prior to landfall, it will not lessen the storm surge.

The point of landfall south is where the biggest surge will occur, with the latest forecast calling for 8 to 12 feet from Anclote south to the Fort Myers Beach area.

As for other significant impacts, like wind and life-threatening storm surge, FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg says the point of landfall will be critical in determining where the worst of Milton is felt.

Video below is live.



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