Hurricane Milton threatens Tampa with severe flooding and damage
Hurricane Milton to bring heavy rain, flood risks to Tampa Bay area
The Tampa, Florida metropolitan area, with a population of approximately 3.1 million, is facing a major threat from Hurricane Milton, the first such storm to hit the region in over a century, posing a significant flooding risk.
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Florida’s west coast either late Wednesday or early Thursday. The storm threatens to damage frame homes, destroy mobile homes, topple large trees, and cause power and communication outages. Central Florida could receive up to 18 inches of rain, leading to a “high risk of life-threatening flash and urban flooding” in metropolitan areas such as Tampa, Orlando, and Daytona Beach. Evacuation orders have been issued for low-lying and vulnerable communities in six counties around Tampa Bay, affecting nearly 4 million people. However, not all residents are under mandatory evacuation.
Tampa’s population, now at 400,000, has grown nearly sevenfold since the last major hurricane struck over a century ago. The surrounding metropolitan area, including cities like St. Petersburg, is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States.
Wow! Some models showing the eye of #hurricane #MILTON never fills in. Makes it all the way across #Florida to Cape Canaveral. Tampa Bay is under huge threat – 10-15 FT. Rapid intensification could see this storm hit 185 mph. The climate has already changed. pic.twitter.com/65eFP8Ango
— Peter Dynes (@PGDynes) October 7, 2024
The last significant hurricane to impact the Tampa Bay area was in 1921 when the city’s population was about 52,000. That unnamed category 3 hurricane caused the deaths of eight people, with winds reaching up to 120 mph and a storm surge of 11 feet destroying coastal structures.
Tampa Bay, along with Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coastline, is highly susceptible to storm surges. The shallow, gently sloping ocean floor retains water pushed toward land by the wind, causing the sea to inundate the land. Barrier islands near Clearwater and St. Petersburg are particularly at risk, prompting officials to advise residents to move to the mainland to avoid drowning.
Climate scientists note that record or near-record water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico lead to more intense and frequent hurricanes. These storms bring heavier rainfall and higher storm surges, exacerbating the risk due to rising sea levels.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Usnews. Tampa is in the path of a hurricane for the first time in a century, resulting in eight deaths and destruction from 120 mph winds and an 11-foot storm surge.(read more)
- ABC News reports on Hurricane Milton’s rapid intensification, potential landfall near Tampa Bay, and the risk of a once-in-a-century storm surge, emphasizing the region’s vulnerability and preparation challenges.(read more)
- PBS NewsHour highlights the dire threat of Hurricane Milton, a potentially Category 5 storm, which could bring a 10- to 15-foot storm surge to Tampa Bay, evoking evacuations and extreme danger.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
When is Hurricane Milton expected to hit Tampa?
Late Wednesday or early Thursday.
What kind of damage is expected from Hurricane Milton?
Frame homes damaged, mobile homes destroyed, trees toppled, power and communication outages.
How many people live in the Tampa metropolitan area?
Around 3.1 million people.
What was the last major hurricane to hit Tampa?
A category 3 hurricane in 1921.
Why is Tampa Bay vulnerable to storm surge?
Its shallow, gently sloping ocean floor retains water pushed toward land.
