After the devastating Hurricane Helene, an American state faces the catastrophic Hurricane Milton

Arab Weather - Hurricane Milton has rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, and is now heading towards the US state of Florida.

The hurricane poses a major threat to the state, which is still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helen. With winds of up to 175 mph, Milton is ranked as the strongest storm on the five-step Hurricane Intensity Scale.

Threat to the lives of 3 million people

The National Hurricane Center forecast Milton to hit areas near the Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3 million people. The International Space Station also released a video from space showing the force of the hurricane as it passed over Mexico and headed toward Florida.

Evacuation Orders and Warnings Due to Hurricane Milton

Long lines for gasoline were seen in Tampa Bay, with evacuations ordered along Florida's west coast in anticipation of catastrophic winds, heavy rains and 8-12 foot (2.4-3.7 meter) waves. The hurricane is currently moving near the northern tip of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, and is expected to raise water levels by up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in some areas. Mandatory evacuations have been issued for parts of Pasco and Anna Maria Island near Tampa.

Florida declares state of emergency

In the face of the growing threat, Gov. Ron DeSantis extended a state of emergency to 51 of Florida's 67 counties. Warnings were sent by email, text and phone to alert residents in several counties of the hurricane's severity, warning that its impacts could be "devastating to catastrophic."

Forecasts and Warnings

The alerts warned that sturdy buildings could suffer complete roof and wall failure, and the damage could make some areas uninhabitable for weeks or even months. In St. Petersburg, officials warned residents that flooding could be much more severe than that caused by Hurricane Helene. Mayor Ken Welch said the storm was much stronger than Helene.

Relief efforts continue across the southeastern United States after Hurricane Helene killed more than 200 people in six states. It was the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

See also:

Category 4 Hurricane Milton Threatens Florida Less Than Two Weeks After Hurricane Helen

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