Hurricane Milton Escalates Into a Major Storm, Prompting Florida to Declare Largest Evacuations in Years

Hurricane Milton has rapidly escalated into a Category 3 storm and is currently brewing in the western Gulf of Mexico, with Florida's Gulf Coast in its path. The Florida Division of Emergency Management announced on Sunday the largest evacuation since 2017, just eleven days after Hurricane Helene hit Florida's Big Bend region. The FEMA of the Biden-Harris administration has been facing criticism for its handling of the initial relief response in North Carolina.

Hurricane Milton Now a 'Major' Storm

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has classified Milton as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. This categorization denotes that the hurricane has now become a 'major' storm. The NHC has warned of an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for parts of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula from Tuesday night or early Wednesday.

Storm Surge Expected in Tampa Bay Area

Forecasts predict a storm surge in the Tampa Bay area, with estimates ranging between 8 and 12 feet, significantly higher than the 7-8 feet storm surge recorded during Hurricane Helene.

State of Emergency Declared in Florida

In a press conference on Sunday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency for 51 of the state's 67 counties, an increase from 35 on Saturday. This declaration allows state officials to bypass bureaucratic limitations and make critical resources available to communities before the storm hits. The Florida Division of Emergency Management's Director Kevin Guthrie urged Floridians to finalize their storm preparations and evacuate. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor also encouraged residents to evacuate to higher ground to avoid traffic.

Florida National Guard Activated

Governor DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida National Guard, the Florida State Guard additional FDOT personnel, and the Florida Highway Patrol to assist in debris removal and provide logistical support to local entities.

Criticism of Biden-Harris Administration's Response to Previous Storm

The impending threat of a second tropical storm hitting the US Southeast in less than two weeks has raised concerns, particularly given the criticism of the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the initial response to the previous storm in North Carolina. Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas informed reporters that FEMA does not have sufficient funds to support Americans through the rest of this Atlantic hurricane season, as the agency had exhausted its funds on transportation and housing solutions for the millions of migrants welcomed by the Biden-Harris administration through open southern borders.

Mayorkas' Luxury Shopping Spree Amid Crisis

Over the weekend, Mayorkas was spotted shopping for luxury clothing in Georgetown, leading to public outrage.

Identifying as Non-US Citizens for Aid?

Given the current circumstances, those in need in storm-ravaged areas may want to consider identifying as non-US citizens to receive federal aid more quickly.

Bottom Line

The escalation of Hurricane Milton into a major storm and the subsequent large-scale evacuations in Florida highlight the severity of the situation. The criticism faced by the Biden-Harris administration for their handling of the previous storm adds another layer of complexity to the crisis. It's a situation that calls for effective leadership and swift action. What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share this article with friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6 pm.