URGENT: NASA Urges Immediate Evacuation For Those In Hurricane Milton’s Path

7th Oct 2024
URGENT: NASA Urges Immediate Evacuation For Those In Hurricane Milton’s Path

Hurricane Milton has undergone an extraordinary and alarming rapid intensification, transforming from a Category 4 storm into a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane in just a matter of hours. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports that Milton’s maximum sustained winds have surged to a staggering 150 mph (240 km/h), with its central pressure plummeting to 940 millibars.

NASA Urged People In Florida To Evacuate

Updated on 9th October

NASA, together with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urged those in Hurricane Milton’s path to evacuate immediately as the hurricane is expected to intensify on Wednesday, 9 October.

A few hours before, NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick shared an affective footage of the hurricane from the International Space Station (ISS) on his X account.

Credit: @dominickmatthew via X

“Finalize your #Milton preparations TODAY! Beginning tomorrow, portions of the state will be experiencing tropical storm-force winds, which means it’s unsafe to drive or be outside,” the FL Division of Emergency Management wrote on X yesterday.

Also, FEMA announced: Florida residents can access evacuation orders, open shelters, and additional resources for #Milton through @FLSERT: http://FloridaDisaster.org/Updates

Unprecedented Rate of Intensification

Satellite view of hurricane. Credit: @tropicalupdate via X (formar tweeter)

The speed of Milton’s strengthening has left meteorologists astounded. In a mere 11 hours, the hurricane’s winds increased by an astonishing 65 mph, a rate of intensification rarely seen in Atlantic hurricanes. This rapid growth equates to the storm “vacuuming” out approximately 1% of the air around it every hour, creating an incredibly powerful and dangerous system.

Ominous Eye Wall Signature

Eye of the hurricane from satellites. Credit: The National Hurricane Center

Satellite imagery reveals a chilling sight: Milton’s eye wall is now exhibiting an enveloped lightning signature, a telltale sign of extreme intensity and organization within the storm. This electrical activity within the eye wall often indicates a hurricane at its peak strength, capable of catastrophic damage.

Implications for Landfall

Path of storm
Path of storm. Credit: NOAA Aircraft Operations Center

With Milton’s unexpected and explosive growth, coastal communities in its path face a significantly heightened threat. The storm’s current trajectory puts it on a collision course with Florida’s western coast, where it could potentially deliver:

  • Devastating storm surge of 10-15 feet
  • Catastrophic winds capable of widespread structural damage
  • Extreme rainfall leading to severe flooding
  • Increased risk of tornadoes in outer rain bands
Map of Milton Hurricane
Map of Milton Hurricane. Credit: NOAA Aircraft Operations Center

Urgent Preparations Needed

Given the storm’s ferocious intensification, emergency management officials are urging residents in potentially affected areas to complete preparations immediately and heed all evacuation orders without delay. The unprecedented strength of Hurricane Milton leaves no room for complacency. As Milton continues its approach, stay tuned to local authorities and the National Hurricane Center for the life-saving information. We’ll keep you updating.

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