Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | October 5, 2024 |
Extratropical | October 10, 2024 |
Dissipated | October 12, 2024 |
Category 5 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 180 mph (285 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 897 mbar (hPa);26.49 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | ≥28 |
Missing | ≥6 |
Damage | >$30 billion (2024 USD) |
Areas affected |
|
[1] | |
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Milton was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone which became the second-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded over the Gulf of Mexico,behind only Hurricane Rita in 2005. Milton made landfall on the west coast of the U.S. state of Florida,less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the state's Big Bend region. [2] The thirteenth named storm,ninth hurricane,fourth major hurricane,and second Category 5 hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season,Milton is the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide in 2024 so far.
Milton formed from a long-tracked tropical disturbance that originated in the western Caribbean Sea and consolidated in the Bay of Campeche on October 5. Gradual intensification occurred as it slowly moved eastward,becoming a hurricane early on October 7. Later that day,Milton underwent explosive intensification and became a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 180 mph (285 km/h). At peak intensity,it had a pressure of 897 millibars (26.49 inHg),making it the fifth-most intense Atlantic hurricane on record. [3] Milton fluctuated in intensity after an eyewall replacement cycle,re-intensifying into a Category 5 hurricane the following day. [4] [5] Increasing wind shear caused the hurricane to weaken as it turned northeast towards Florida,falling to Category 3 status before making landfall near Siesta Key late on October 9. [6] [7] Afterwards,Milton rapidly weakened as it moved across the state into the Atlantic Ocean,and became extratropical on October 10 as it became embedded within a frontal zone. The remnants gradually weakened and passed near the island of Bermuda before dissipating on October 12.
Ahead of the hurricane,Florida declared a state of emergency in which many coastal residents were ordered to evacuate. Preparations were also undertaken in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The hurricane spawned a deadly tornado outbreak and caused widespread flooding in Florida. As of October 14,2024,Hurricane Milton killed at least 28 people:25 in the United States and three in Mexico. Preliminary damage estimates place the total cost of destruction from the storm at over US$30 billion. [1]
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) first outlined an area for possible development in the western Caribbean Sea on September 26. [8] A broad area of low pressure formed in the western Caribbean, producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms [9] before degenerating into an open trough two days later. [10] The disturbance then interacted with the remnants of Tropical Depression Eleven-E in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and a stationary front, [11] and consolidated in the Bay of Campeche. By October 4, [12] showing more signs of development, it was designated Invest 92L. The next day, as associated showers and thunderstorms organized further, [13] the NHC upgraded it to Tropical Depression Fourteen, [14] then to Tropical Storm Milton less than three hours later as satellite wind data indicated the storm was producing gale-force winds. [15] The system gradually strengthened as it moved erratically in the Bay of Campeche due to weak steering currents. A developing mid-level trough over the Central United States eventually helped steer Milton eastward across the Gulf of Mexico. Milton's radius of maximum winds (RMW) was only 30 nautical miles (56 km), marking it as a relatively small storm. [16] Spiral banding and consistent bursts of convection continued through the early morning of October 6. [17]
Most intense Atlantic hurricanes ( ) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Hurricane | Season | Pressure | ||
hPa | inHg | ||||
1 | Wilma | 2005 | 882 | 26.05 | |
2 | Gilbert | 1988 | 888 | 26.23 | |
3 | "Labor Day" | 1935 | 892 | 26.34 | |
4 | Rita | 2005 | 895 | 26.43 | |
5 | Milton | 2024 | 897 | 26.49 | |
6 | Allen | 1980 | 899 | 26.55 | |
7 | Camille | 1969 | 900 | 26.58 | |
8 | Katrina | 2005 | 902 | 26.64 | |
9 | Mitch | 1998 | 905 | 26.73 | |
Dean | 2007 | ||||
Source: HURDAT [18] |
By the afternoon of October 6, Hurricane Hunters had found that Milton had intensified into a hurricane, with an intermittent eye feature. [19] Overnight, Milton began to undergo explosive intensification, enabled by highly favorable environmental conditions consisting of very warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs) near 31 °C (88 °F), high mid-level relative humidity values and low wind shear. As it did so, a pinhole eye measuring 4 nautical miles (7 km) soon developed within very deep convection of around −80 °C (−112 °F), [20] with Milton becoming a major hurricane and soon after a Category 5 hurricane, by 11:00 UTC and 16:00 UTC respectively on October 7, [21] [22] making it the second Category 5 hurricane of the season. Milton reached its peak intensity at 00:00 UTC on October 8 with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 897 mbar (26.49 inHg), the most intense since Wilma in 2005, making Milton the fifth-most intense Atlantic hurricane on record. [23] [3] In the 24-hour period from 00:00 UTC October 7 to 00:00 UTC October 8, the pressure fell from 981 mb (28.97 inHg) to 897 mbar (26.49 inHg), a drop of 84 mb (2.48 inHg), while the winds increased by 90 mph (145 km/h) in the same time period. This was also the third-fastest period of rapid intensification in the Atlantic after Wilma and Hurricane Felix, and the fastest in the Gulf of Mexico. [24]
After peaking in intensity, further strengthening was halted by an eyewall replacement cycle, causing the storm to weaken to Category 4 intensity later that night, [25] [26] [27] but a larger eye became increasingly well-defined, and Milton re-achieved Category 5 intensity by the afternoon of October 8, [5] by which time the hurricane had undergone a second round of rapid deepening to a secondary peak with winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a pressure of 902 mbar (26.64 inHg) at 00:00 UTC on October 9. [28] By this time, it began to turn towards the northeast and accelerate from the trough steering it towards Florida. [5] The next day, October 9, increasing wind shear began to affect Milton, and the storm fell below Category 5 intensity early that morning. [29] The eye of the hurricane became cloud-filled and increasingly ill-defined while the convection became more ragged-looking as strong southwesterly wind shear of 35–40 mph (56–65 km/h) overtook the hurricane. [30] Milton made landfall at about 00:30 UTC on October 10 (8:30 p.m. local time on October 9) near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). [31] Milton quickly weakened over land and emerged over the Atlantic Ocean as a Category 1 hurricane while also becoming increasingly entangled within a nearby frontal boundary. [32] On the afternoon of October 10, it transitioned to a hurricane-force extratropical low. [33] The remnants of Milton gradually weakened as it passed near Bermuda on October 11, before losing definition and dissipating within the frontal zone on October 12.[ citation needed ]
According to scientists from Climate Central, the abnormally high sea surface temperature, which enabled the fast intensification of the hurricane, was made 400-800 times more probable due to climate change, based on the group's Climate Shift Index: Ocean (Ocean CSI) model. [34] Scientists from the World Weather Attribution center calculated that 1 day rainfall events as those happened during the hurricane produce 20%-30% more rain due to climate change while the wind speed of the hurricane increased by 10%. Using statistical modeling, the scientists hypothesized that "without climate change Milton would have made landfall as a Category 2 instead of a Category 3 storm". [35]
On October 6, 2024, the Mexican government issued a tropical storm watch for the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, from Celestún to Cancún. [36] [37] The watch was upgraded to tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches [38] [39] later in the day, then hurricane warnings the following day. [40] [41] Some 2,711 people voluntarily evacuated from Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama reported. [42] [43] The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) mobilized hundreds of workers and pieces of equipment to be placed in Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo in preparation for Milton. [44] The Secretariat of the Navy announced that the Mexican Navy would be distributed around affected regions for distribution of resources. [44] Services on the Tren Maya were suspended. [42]
Panic buying was observed in Mérida ahead of the storm. [45] Non-essential government services, including public transportation, were suspended in parts of Yucatán as Milton rapidly intensified on October 7. [46] Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena ordered the closure of all schools and ports in Yucatán. [47]
On October 5, 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency. [48] He also issued an executive order requiring debris management sites and landfills in counties affected by Hurricane Helene to remain open around the clock to help remove debris before Milton made landfall. The order also increased the number of Florida National Guardsmen working on debris removal from 800 to 4,000 to keep debris becoming a hazard in Milton's high winds. [49] [50] Dump trucks were deployed to help remove mounds of debris. [51] Sandbagging sites opened across the state. [52]
Two days later, hurricane and tropical storm warnings were declared for the Florida West Coast, [53] nearly 15 million people across Florida were under flood watches, [54] and President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state. [54] DeSantis ordered the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Division of Emergency Management to coordinate resources. [55] He suspended tolls on many roads in western Florida, including Florida's Turnpike. Public schools in over 50 counties as well as 23 public colleges and universities across the state canceled classes or were closed, including the University of South Florida in Tampa and Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. [56] [57] [58] Rollins College evacuated campus. [59] Several counties opened schools up as emergency shelters. [60]
Amtrak suspended its Silver Service between Jacksonville and Miami from October 7 to 11 and canceled the Auto Train from October 8 to 10. [61] Many airports throughout the state, particularly in Central and Southwest Florida, temporarily closed during the storm including Tampa International Airport, Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport, St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, Palm Beach International Airport, and Orlando International Airport. [62] [63] [64] Thousands of flights intending to arrive or depart from Florida were canceled. [65] [66] Several cruise lines had their schedule affected due to the storm. [62] The October 7 launch of Hera occurred as planned, but the launch of the Europa Clipper spacecraft was delayed. [67] [68] SpaceX Crew-8's return was postponed to October 13. [69] Brightline operations were suspended between West Palm Beach and Orlando station from October 8 to 10. [70] Legoland Florida and Walt Disney World closed due to Milton. [71] [72] [73] Starting on October 8, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was to close for three days. [74]
An estimated six million Floridians were ordered to evacuate, marking one of the largest evacuation orders since Hurricane Irma in 2017. The evacuation orders were primarily situated in Hillsborough and surrounding counties. [75] Volusia and Marion counties also issued evacuation orders for homes at risk. [76] [60] Throughout the Tampa Bay area, comfort stations and locations to do basic utilities that were opened due to Helene were closed due to Milton. [77] In Longboat Key, officials stated that residents should evacuate from the town. [78] In coordination with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Uber offered free rides to and from state shelters. [79]
Zoos such as the Florida Aquarium, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the ZooTampa activated their emergency plans and moved animals into higher ground locations or secure areas such as bathrooms. A few of the workers planned on staying at the zoos to continue to monitor the animals, feed them and provide care if needed. [80] [81] Some national organizations such as Wings of Rescue and Best Friends Animal Society, worked with others to evacuate shelter animals to partner shelters in other states. [82]
The National Hockey League canceled the preseason finale for the Tampa Bay Lightning, which was initially postponed from Helene. [83] Additionally, the Lightning's season-opener against the Carolina Hurricanes on October 12 was postponed. [84] All University of Central Florida sporting events scheduled for October 9 and 10 were canceled as well. [83] The South Florida Bulls football game against the Memphis Tigers was postponed from October 11 to 12 and moved from Tampa to Camping World Stadium in Orlando. [85]
The National Football League's Tampa Bay Buccaneers relocated to New Orleans ahead of their game against the New Orleans Saints on October 13. [86] Publix and Walmart altered store hours and closed several other of their locations in preparation for the storm and their locations among other stores faced shortages of items such as bottled water, alcohol, canned goods, and snacks due to panic buying. [87] [88] Gas station shortages occurred across the state, with 16.5% out by the afternoon of October 8, including 43% in the Tampa Bay area according to GasBuddy. Governor DeSantis said fuel replenishment efforts were underway and said that there was not a fuel shortage. The Florida Highway Patrol began escorting fuel tankers to help replenish gas stations ahead of landfall to aid in evacuation efforts. DeSantis also urged that people consider evacuating "tens of miles" instead of "hundreds of miles". The American Automobile Association advised Floridians to "take only what you need" and to avoid letting their gas tanks getting too low before looking for a place to fill up. [89] [90] Thirty-three Waffle House locations in Milton's projected path were closed, indicating a red level on the Waffle House Index. [91]
President Joe Biden postponed a planned trip from October 10 to 15 to Angola and Germany in order to oversee preparations and the response and urged those living in areas at risk to evacuate, saying that it was a matter of life and death. [51]
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suffered a staffing shortage ahead of the storm, with only 9% of the agency's staff available. According to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the agency remained ready to respond, saying that "we can respond to multiple events at a single time". [92] Over the previous five years at least 25% of staff remained available by October 7. This figure was lower than in 2017 when FEMA's staff availability dropped to 19% as FEMA staff responded to Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria. [93] Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre ended a briefing, accusing journalists of spreading misinformation related to disaster funding. [94]
There were casualties involved as a result of evacuating: one fatality occurred after a car accident in Marion County southeast of Orange Lake, [95] while three people were injured after the plane they were in crashed into Tampa Bay after its engine failed while taking off from Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg. [96] In addition, two people died on eastbound SR 82 while evacuating. [97]
Coastal Georgia was placed under tropical storm warning. [98]
On October 7, 2024, Atlanta Motor Speedway opened its campground for evacuees with pop-up campers and tents with access to a complementary shower house, including those from Florida, in collaboration with the Henry County Emergency Management Agency. A limited number of camping spaces with water, power, and sewer hook-ups were made available as well. [99]
On October 8, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued an executive order which declared a state of emergency across 40 counties and ordered the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to activate the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan and Georgia Department of Transportation and Georgia Department of Public Safety to take action to ensure the expeditious movement of utility vehicles, equipment, and personnel throughout the state to eliminate any potential power outages. The order also called up to 250 Georgia National Guard troops to be used in preparation, response, and recovery efforts. [100]
Cumberland Island National Seashore closed indefinitely on October 8. [101]
A tropical storm watch was issued for Extreme Northwest Bahamian Islands on October 8, 2024, upgraded six hours later to a tropical storm warning. [102] [103] [104] Grand Bahama activated their emergency operations center. [105] The Royal Bahamas Defence Force went on standby with supplies prepared for Hurricane Milton. [106] In-person schools on Grand Bahama, Bimini, Abaco, and Grand Cay were closed. [107] The Anglican Central Education Authority closed two campuses. [108] Bahamian students in Florida were ordered to evacuate; Bahamasair made two flights on October 7 and 8 to Orlando. [109] The Grand Bahama International Airport had closed. [110] Bahamas Power and Light offices in northern islands closed October 9. [111] Banks on Grand Bahama and Abaco closed October 10. [112]
A large surge in sales of hurricane-related supplies occurred. [105]
Country | Deaths (Missing) | Damage cost (USD) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Mexico | 3 (6) | Unknown | [113] [114] [115] |
United States | 25 (0) | >30 billion | [116] [1] [117] |
Total | 28 (6) | >$30 billion | |
Heavy rainfall from Milton caused flooding in the city of Campeche. [118] Dangerous storm surge and torrential rainfall impacted the state of Yucatán, with the seawall at Progreso being inundated by high waves. Over 12,000 people were affected in the state by power outages. [119] Flooding from the storm surge led to evacuations being carried out during the hurricane in Celestún. [120] Strong waves caused sections of the Ciudad del Carmen–Isla Aguada federal highway to be inundated by sea waters. [121] A man and a woman drowned in Calkiní due to waves produced by the hurricane. [122] [123] Heavy winds from Milton caused an old house in Progreso to collapse, [124] and heavy winds and rainfall nearly demolished a home in Chuburná. [125]
The municipalities of Sisal and Celestún suffered the most damage, with flooding, fallen trees, and blackouts affecting the cities. In Sisal, there were reports of some roofs of softball field stands and palapas collapsing. Over a thousand people from El Cuyo, Río Lagartos, and Las Coloradas needed to be transferred to shelters. [126] Heavy swells and intense winds from Milton destroyed the dock of the port of Chelem. [127] Cancún International Airport canceled several flights due to Milton. [42] Fifteen fishermen on four boats from Progreso went missing while out on the water as Milton passed. [128] Two of the ships with eight fishermen returned on October 9, while one of the missing ships, Peyucsa 12, was spotted from a Mexican Navy plane overturned about 133 mi (214 km) northeast from Progreso with one man on top a day later. The man was unable to be rescued by the plane and pilots called for a Defender-class patrol boat from the Mexican Navy in Progreso to come to his rescue. The brother of the man who was on the search plane said he saw his brother slide off the boat and into the water face first before eventually sinking before the rescue boat arrived, but the Mexican Navy has not confirmed this account. [129] [115] [130] On October 11, the last missing ship, Halcón I, was spotted by the Mexican Navy capsized with no crew members. [131]
As Milton neared Cuba, its rainbands caused flooding to be reported in Surgidero de Batabanó. [132] In Havana Bay, deteriorating weather conditions from Milton caused officials to suspend ferry services on October 8. [133] The Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) reported that Western Cuba experienced winds of 25–30 mph (40–48 km/h) and maximum gusts in Casablanca, Havana, of 50 mph (80 km/h). [134] Flooding was also reported in the country. [135]
Initial estimates by Fitch Ratings said that Milton caused USD$30–50 billion in damage. [1]
In Marineland, sustained winds reached 83 mph (134 km/h) with gusts reaching 92 mph (148 km/h). [136] In Daytona Beach, sustained winds reached 60 mph (97 km/h) with gusts reaching 87 mph (140 km/h). [137] Gusts reached 107 mph (172 km/h) in Sarasota, 99 mph (159 km/h) in Ponce Inlet, 92 mph (148 km/h) in West Palm Beach and 86 mph (138 km/h) in Orlando. [138] [139] [140] Heavy rain also occurred in the state, with over 13 in (330 mm) of rain in Plant City and nearly 19 in (480 mm) in St. Petersburg, including 5.09 in (129 mm) in a single hour. [141] [142] [143] In Tampa, nearly 12 in (300 mm) of rain fell, which pushed the city to its wettest year on record. [144] Further east, rainfall totals exceeded 12 in (300 mm) in portions of Volusia County, and 10 in (250 mm) in Indian River County. [145] [146] Rainfall totals in Flagler County were lower, but 5.61 in (142 mm) of rain was still recorded in Flagler Beach. [147] A storm surge of 5 ft (1.52 m) to 10 ft (3.04 m) was recorded from Naples to Siesta Key, including Charlotte Harbor. [148] Water levels rose over 8 ft (2.4 m) near Sarasota. [148] Naples saw a storm surge of 5.75 ft (1.75 m). [148] On the other side of the state, Daytona experienced a storm surge peak between 4 ft (1.2 m) to 4.5 ft (1.37 m). [149] The Hillsborough River crested at nearly 2 ft (.61 m) over record height Friday at Zephyrhills. At the river’s Morris Bridge site, it crested over 3 ft (.94 m) above record flood stage. [150] A reverse storm surge occurred in Tampa, however, dropping water levels by 5 ft (1.5 m). [151]
Seven people were killed in St. Lucie County, [152] four in Volusia County, two in Pinellas County, and one each in Citrus, Polk, and Orange counties. [153] [154] Two people were killed in St. Petersburg. [155] One person was killed in Ormond Beach due a tree falling into a roof. [156] A woman in her late 70s was killed by a fallen tree branch in Hillsborough County. [153] Ten people were injured in Wellington by an EF3 tornado. [157] The Waffle House Index was raised to red in various areas throughout the state including Tampa, Lakeland, Daytona, and Naples. [158] [159]
Tropicana Field, which had been set up to house first responders, lost a large part of its fiberglass roof as a result of wind gusts. [160] The Tampa Bay Times building in downtown St. Petersburg was severely damaged when a construction crane from a nearby partially built skyscraper collapsed into it. There were no reported injuries. [161] Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport lost the entire roof of Concourse B, which housed the airport's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening checkpoint and all 13 aircraft loading gate hold rooms. [162] Multiple areas across the state experienced significant flooding including parts of Orlando, Saint Johns, and throughout Hillsborough County. [163] Rescuers saved 565 people from a Clearwater apartment complex where flooding was neck-deep in some places. [164] Across the state, about 125 homes were destroyed before Milton made landfall, and more than 3 million homes and buildings were left without power. [165] [166] [167] Nearly 1,000 people and 105 animals were rescued as of October 10. [168] [169] A sinkhole opened up in Hillsborough County as a result of Milton. [170] US 17/92 collapsed with a sinkhole in Orange City, as well. [171] Another sink hole opened up in Polk County which swallowed a pick up truck. [172]
Damage in Volusia County reached $267 million. [173]
Key West saw a large decline in commercial activity as a result of Milton and the closure of the Port of Key West. [174]
Rank | Hurricane | Season | Damage |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 Katrina | 2005 | $125 billion |
4 Harvey | 2017 | ||
3 | 4 Ian | 2022 | $113 billion |
4 | 4 Maria | 2017 | $90 billion |
5 | 4 Ida | 2021 | $75 billion |
6 | ET Sandy | 2012 | $65 billion |
7 | 4 Irma | 2017 | $52.1 billion |
8 | 4 Helene | 2024 | $45 billion |
9 | 2 Ike | 2008 | $30 billion |
3 Milton | 2024 |
At least 35 confirmed tornadoes touched down in Florida before the storm made landfall as a result of a prolific tornado outbreak that occurred between October 8–9, focused on the Florida Heartland, the Treasure Coast and the Space Coast. [177] At 6 pm, the National Weather Service office in Miami, which covers much of South Florida except the Florida Keys of Monroe County, reported that they had issued 55 tornado warnings, a record high in one day beating out the previous record of 37 on September 27, 2022, during Hurricane Ian, [178] and confirmed nine tornadoes on a preliminary basis. The NWS in Tampa Bay also set a record high of 29 tornado warnings in one day, beating the previous record of 23 held by both Tropical Storm Debby of 2012 and Tropical Storm Andrea on June 6, 2013. [179] [180] In total, a record 126 tornado warnings have been issued throughout the state, and the second-most of any state in one day, only behind Alabama on April 27, 2011, at the height of the 2011 Super Outbreak. [181]
The outbreak first started late on October 8 with an EF1 tornado striking the west side of Key West. [182] The next day, at least 34 tornadoes touched down during the morning and afternoon. Two EFU tornadoes moved across I-75 in the Everglades with no serious damage noted. [183] Later, an EF1 tornado caused damage in the Sky Valley neighborhood of Clewiston. [184] A low-end EF2 tornado impacted the western part of Fort Myers, causing extensive damage to homes and knocking down numerous trees in the area. [185] An EF3 tornado, the strongest recorded tornado in southwest Florida's history, struck a neighborhood in the area of Lakeport in Glades County, destroying 39 homes, before weakening and causing minor damage in Brighton Reservation. [186] [184] Clusters of supercells then passed west of the Miami metropolitan area and struck the Treasure Coast, producing several tornadoes. Another EF3 tornado struck a mobile home in Wellington before weakening and traveling northward where it then restrengthened to an EF3 and damaged a shopping and residential area in western Palm Beach Gardens before weakening again and eventually dissipating in the area of Jupiter Farms. [184] At least six people were killed in St. Lucie County by a EF3 tornado that touched down at 4:30 p.m. [187] [188] The same tornado also damaged dozens of homes near Fort Pierce. [189] [184] A total of nine tornadoes struck the county, including three in the span of 25 minutes. [190] In all, at least nine tornadoes impacted the Treasure Coast. The final tornado was an EF1 tornado in Cocoa Beach ripped off the roof of a Wells Fargo bank. [191]
Wind gusts in Savannah, Georgia, peaked at 22 mph (35 km/h). [192] In Tybee Island, impacts were less than expected; however, the beaches remained closed due to rip currents. [193] In South Carolina, wind gusts reached 40 mph (64 km/h) in Hilton Head Airport and Charleston Harbor, but impacts were also less then anticipated. [194]
Bimini and West Grand Bahama experienced winds of around 15–20 miles per hour (24–32 km/h) and waves of two to four feet (0.61 to 1.22 m). Power and water outages occurred on a few islands. Localized flooding also occurred. [195] Grand Bahama and Abaco experienced coastal floodings and strong gusts. [196] Aarone Sargeant, the Managing Director of The Bahamas' Disaster Risk Management Authority, stated that there were no reports of injuries or significant damage, [197] with only minor damage occurring in the country. [196]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2024) |
Amtrak again modified their Silver Service routes between October 13 and 15 due to residual impacts after the storm. [198] Most tolls in Florida were re-instated on October 14, although exceptions were made for Orlando and Tampa. [199]
Following the storm, Taylor Swift donated $5 million to help with combined relief from Milton and Hurricane Helene, with Walmart donating $16 million. [200] On October 12, Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration for the state. By October 13, over 250,000 Floridians registered for help, which was the most in a day in national history. [201] There has also been mention that other celebrities have made contributions, such as Dolly Parton, Morgan Wallen, Blake Lively, Tom Brady and Metallica. [202]
Widespread fuel shortages occurred at gas stations after the storm. Governor Ron DeSantis opened up three fuel sites where residents can get ten gallons of fuel as a result. [203]
Much of Cumberland Island National Seashore re-opened on October 12, although several trails in the northern segments of the park remained closed for damage assessments. [204] Canaveral National Seashore was also closed indefinitely following the storms. [205]
On October 13, Joe Biden flew to MacDill Air Force Base aboard Air Force One where he then boarded Marine One and embarked on an aerial tour of St. Petersburg before landing at Albert Whitted Airport. Biden met with state and local officials such as Senator Rick Scott, Representative Anna Paulina Luna, and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. Biden then departed the airport in a motorcade and traveled to St. Pete Beach where he met residents and first responders before giving a speech about the recovery efforts. During the speech, Biden announced $612 million for six Department of Energy projects to improve the resilience of electric grids in areas affected by hurricanes, which included $94 million for two projects in Florida. [206] [207]
The Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSOE), in an October 15 letter addressed to Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Division of Elections Director Maria Matthews, requested a lessening of election and voting restrictions in Collier, Glades, Highlands, Indian River, Manatee, Orange, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and St. Lucie counties. Among the requests included extensions to early voting and to the deadlines for mail-in ballot delivery, notification of the location of mail-in ballot drop boxes, and the appointment of poll workers. FSOE also asked if requirements could be waived for the relocation of polling places and for "immediate family members of first responders, line workers and relief workers to request mail-in ballots on their behalf.", according to Florida Politics . [208]
Hurricane Opal was a large and powerful Category 4 hurricane that caused severe and extensive damage along the northern Gulf Coast of the United States in October 1995. The fifteenth named storm, ninth hurricane and strongest tropical cyclone of the unusually active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season, Opal developed from the interaction of a tropical wave and a low-pressure area near the Yucatán Peninsula on September 27 as Tropical Depression Seventeen. The depression crossed the Yucatán Peninsula and intensified into a tropical storm on September 30. Opal intensified into a hurricane on October 2 after entering the Gulf of Mexico. The cyclone turned northeastward and strengthened significantly. By October 4, Opal was an intense 150 mph (240 km/h), Category 4 hurricane. With a minimum pressure of 916 mbar (hPa), Hurricane Opal was the most intense category 4 Atlantic hurricane on record. However, the cyclone abruptly weakened to a low-end Category 3 hurricane prior to making landfall on the Florida Panhandle near Pensacola later that day. The storm quickly unraveled as it moved inland and became extratropical on October 5. The remnants of Opal moved northward and dissipated over Ontario the following day.
Hurricane Agnes was the costliest hurricane to hit the United States at the time, causing an estimated $2.1 billion in damage. The hurricane's death toll was 128. The effects of Agnes were widespread, from the Caribbean to Canada, with much of the east coast of the United States affected. Damage was heaviest in Pennsylvania, where Agnes was the state's wettest tropical cyclone. Due to the significant effects, the name Agnes was retired in the spring of 1973.
Hurricane Beulah was an intense Category 5 hurricane which impacted the Greater Antilles, Mexico, and Texas in September 1967. The second tropical storm, second hurricane, only major hurricane, and strongest storm in the 1967 Atlantic hurricane season, Beulah tracked through the Caribbean, struck the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico as a major hurricane, and moved west-northwestward into the Gulf of Mexico, briefly becoming a Category 5 hurricane. The hurricane made landfall just north of the mouth of the Rio Grande as a Category 3 hurricane. It spawned 115 tornadoes across Texas, which established a new record for the highest amount of tornadoes produced by a tropical cyclone. Due to its slow movement over Texas, Beulah led to significant flooding. Throughout its path, at least 59 people were killed and total damage reached $234.6 million, of which $200 million occurred in the United States, $26.9 million occurred in Mexico, and $7.65 million occurred in the eastern Caribbean.
Hurricane Wilma was the most intense tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin and the second-most intense tropical cyclone in the Western Hemisphere, both based on barometric pressure, after Hurricane Patricia in 2015. Wilma's rapid intensification led to a 24-hour pressure drop of 97 mbar (2.9 inHg), setting a new basin record. At its peak, Hurricane Wilma's eye contracted to a record minimum diameter of 2.3 mi (3.7 km). In the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, Wilma was the twenty-second storm, thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane, fourth Category 5 hurricane, and the second costliest.
Hurricane Allison was the first named storm and first hurricane of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. It was an early season hurricane that delivered heavy rains and caused minor damage, primarily across Cuba, Florida and Georgia.
Hurricane Gordon caused minor damage in the Eastern United States. The seventh named storm and fourth hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season, Gordon developed in the extreme western Caribbean Sea from a tropical wave on September 14. Shortly thereafter, the depression moved inland over the Yucatán Peninsula and later emerged into the Gulf of Mexico on September 15. The depression began to quickly organize, and by early on September 16, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Gordon. After becoming a tropical storm, Gordon continued to intensify and was reclassified as a hurricane about 24 hours later; eventually, the storm peaked as an 80 mph (130 km/h) Category 1 hurricane. However, southwesterly upper-level winds caused Gordon to weaken as it approached land, and it was downgraded to a tropical storm by late on September 17. At 0300 UTC on September 18, Gordon made landfall near Cedar Key, Florida as a strong tropical storm. After moving inland, Gordon rapidly weakened and had deteriorated to tropical depression status by nine hours later. Later that day, Gordon merged with a frontal boundary while centered over Georgia.
Hurricane Chantal was one of three tropical cyclones to make landfall in Texas during the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season. The third named storm and the first hurricane of the season, Chantal slowly developed on July 30 in the southern Gulf of Mexico from a tropical disturbance that was previously within Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) while near Trinidad and Tobago. While heading north-northwestward, the depression steadily intensified and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Chantal on the following day. Thereafter, Chantal quickly strengthen and became a hurricane on August 1. After intensifying slightly further, Chantal made landfall near High Island, Texas later that day. The storm quickly weakened upon moving inland and fell to tropical storm intensity a few hours after landfall. Early on August 2, Chantal weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated over Oklahoma by August 4.
Tropical Storm Alberto was the first tropical storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. Forming on June 10 in the northwestern Caribbean, the storm moved generally to the north, reaching a maximum intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) before weakening and moving ashore in the Big Bend area of Florida on June 13. Alberto then moved through eastern Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia as a tropical depression before becoming extratropical on June 14.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, in terms of number of systems. It featured a total of 31 tropical or subtropical cyclones, with all but one cyclone becoming a named storm. Of the 30 named storms, 14 developed into hurricanes, and a record-tying seven further intensified into major hurricanes. It was the second and final season to use the Greek letter storm naming system, the first being 2005, the previous record. Of the 30 named storms, 11 of them made landfall in the contiguous United States, breaking the record of nine set in 1916. During the season, 27 tropical storms established a new record for earliest formation date by storm number. This season also featured a record ten tropical cyclones that underwent rapid intensification, tying it with 1995, as well as tying the record for most Category 4 hurricanes in a singular season in the Atlantic Basin. This unprecedented activity was fueled by a La Niña that developed in the summer months of 2020, continuing a stretch of above-average seasonal activity that began in 2016. Despite the record-high activity, this was the first season since 2015 in which no Category 5 hurricanes formed.
Tropical Storm Colin was the earliest third named storm in the Atlantic basin on record for four years, until it was surpassed by Tropical Storm Cristobal in 2020. An atypical, poorly organized tropical cyclone, Colin developed from a low pressure area over the Gulf of Mexico near the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula late on June 5, 2016. Moving northward, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm about eight hours after its formation. On June 6, Colin curved to the north-northeast and intensified slightly to winds of 50 mph (80 km/h). Strong wind shear prevented further strengthening and resulted in the system maintaining a disheveled appearance on satellite imagery. Later, the storm began accelerating to the northeast. Early on June 7, Colin made landfall in rural Taylor County, Florida, still at peak intensity. The system rapidly crossed northern Florida and emerged into the Atlantic Ocean several hours later. By late on June 7, Colin transitioned into an extratropical cyclone offshore North Carolina before being absorbed by a frontal boundary the following day.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is an ongoing Atlantic hurricane season in the Northern Hemisphere. The season officially began on June 1, and will end on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most subtropical or tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Atlantic Ocean. The first system, Tropical Storm Alberto, developed on June 19, making it the latest first named storm since 2014.
Hurricane Michael was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that became the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in the contiguous United States since Andrew in 1992. It was the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane to make landfall in the contiguous United States in terms of pressure, behind the 1935 Labor Day hurricane and Hurricane Camille in 1969. Michael was the first Category 5 hurricane on record to impact the Florida Panhandle, the fourth-strongest landfalling hurricane in the contiguous United States in terms of wind speed, and the most intense hurricane on record to strike the United States in the month of October.
Tropical Storm Amanda and Tropical Storm Cristobal were two related, consecutive tropical cyclones that affected Central America, southern Mexico, the Central United States, and Canada in late May and early June 2020. The first tropical cyclone formed in the East Pacific and was named Amanda. After crossing Central America, it regenerated into a second one in the Gulf of Mexico and was named Cristobal. Amanda was the second tropical depression and the first named storm of the 2020 Pacific hurricane season, and Cristobal was the third named storm of the extremely active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, and the earliest third named storm in the North Atlantic Ocean on record. Cristobal's regeneration date in the North Atlantic eclipsed the date set by Tropical Storm Colin in 2016, which formed on June 5. It was also the first Atlantic tropical storm formed in the month of June since Cindy in 2017, and the first June tropical cyclone to make landfall in Mexico since Danielle in 2016.
Hurricane Marco was the first of two tropical cyclones to threaten the Gulf Coast of the United States within a three-day period. The thirteenth named storm and third hurricane of the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Marco developed from a fast-moving tropical wave west of the Windward Islands and south of Jamaica on August 20. The fast motion of the wave inhibited intensification initially, but as the wave slowed down and entered a more favorable environment, the system developed into a tropical depression, which in turn rapidly intensified into a strong tropical storm. Due to strong wind shear, Marco's intensification temporarily halted. However, after entering the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico on August 23, Marco briefly intensified into a hurricane, only to quickly weaken later that evening due to another rapid increase in wind shear. Marco subsequently weakened to a tropical depression before degenerating into a remnant low early the next morning. Marco's remnants subsequently dissipated on August 26.
Hurricane Gamma was a tropical cyclone that brought heavy rains, flooding, and landslides to the Yucatán Peninsula in early October 2020. The twenty-fifth depression, twenty-fourth named storm and ninth hurricane of the extremely active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Gamma developed from a vigorous tropical wave that had been monitored as it was entering the Eastern Caribbean on September 29. The wave moved westward and slowed down as it moved into the Western Caribbean, where it began to interact with a dissipating cold front. A low formed within the disturbance on October 1 and the next day, it organized into a tropical depression. It further organized into Tropical Storm Gamma early the next day. It continued to intensify and made landfall as a minimal hurricane near Tulum, Mexico, on October 3. It weakened over land before reemerging in the Gulf of Mexico. Gamma then briefly restrengthened some before being blasted by high amounts of wind shear, causing it to weaken again. It made a second landfall as a tropical depression in Nichili, Mexico on October 6 before dissipating as it was absorbed by the approaching Hurricane Delta.
Hurricane Delta was a destructive tropical cyclone that became the record-tying fourth named storm of 2020 to make landfall in Louisiana, as well as the record-breaking tenth named storm to strike the United States in that year. The twenty-sixth tropical cyclone, twenty-fifth named storm, tenth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Delta formed from a tropical wave which was first monitored by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on October 1. Moving westward, the tropical wave began to quickly organize. A well-defined center of circulation formed with sufficiently organized deep convection on October 4, and was designated as Tropical Depression Twenty-six and soon thereafter, Tropical Storm Delta. Extremely rapid intensification ensued throughout October 5 into October 6, with Delta becoming a Category 4 hurricane within 28 hours of attaining tropical storm status. The rate of intensification was the fastest in the Atlantic basin since Hurricane Wilma in 2005. After peaking in intensity however, an unexpected increase in wind shear and dry air quickly weakened the small storm before it made landfall in Puerto Morelos, Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane with 105 mph (169 km/h) winds. It weakened some more over land before emerging into the Gulf of Mexico, where it was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. After that, it began to restrengthen, regaining Category 3 status late on October 8. It then turned northward and reached a secondary peak intensity of 953 mbar (28.14 inHg) and winds of 120 mph early on October 9. Delta then began to turn more north-northeastward into an area of cooler waters, higher wind shear, and dry air, causing it to weaken back to Category 2 status. Delta then made landfall at 23:00 UTC near Creole, Louisiana with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h) and a pressure of 970 mbar (29 inHg). The storm began to weaken more rapidly after landfall, becoming post-tropical just 22 hours later.
Hurricane Idalia was a powerful and destructive Category 4 hurricane that caused significant damage across parts of the southeastern United States, especially in North Florida, in late August 2023. The ninth named storm, third hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, Idalia formed from a low-pressure area that crossed Central America from the eastern Pacific Ocean. Gradual development ensued as it meandered in the western part of the Caribbean Sea; the system was upgraded to a tropical depression on August 26, 2023, and strengthened into a tropical storm a day later, receiving the name Idalia. It traversed the Gulf of Mexico where it underwent rapid intensification, briefly becoming a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida as a low-end Category 3 hurricane on August 30. Idalia remained a hurricane as it moved through Northern Florida and crossed into Southeast Georgia; it then pushed into the Carolinas as a tropical storm. On August 31, Idalia emerged into the Atlantic, where it transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone that same day. Later, it passed south of Bermuda, made a counterclockwise loop, then meandered off the coast of Nova Scotia while winding down.
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