Historic hurricane milton bears down on Florida's Gulf Coast

Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, is approaching the Gulf Coast of Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, which has not encountered such a powerful force in over a hundred years. Experts monitoring its progress do not rule out that Milton will soon join the ranks of the most destructive hurricanes in history.

Recognized as a Category 5 hurricane, Milton has reached wind speeds of up to 180 mph (290 km/h), making it one of the strongest hurricanes in recent years. Its rapid intensification, described by meteorologists as an "explosion" of strength, occurred in just a few hours, surprising experts. The hurricane is heading toward the western coast of Florida, where it is expected to strike on Wednesday, October 9th.

According to forecasts, the hurricane may weaken slightly before making landfall, but forecasters expect that despite this, Milton will bring dangerous storm surges, destructive winds, floods, and tornadoes. Experts believe waves could reach heights of 8 to 11 feet (2.4 to 3.4 meters) in Tampa Bay, and Florida will experience 5 to 15 inches (13 to 38 centimeters) of rainfall. Due to the threats posed by Milton, authorities have declared a state of emergency.

"Milton has the potential to become one of the most destructive hurricanes in the history of west-central Florida," stated the American National Hurricane Center (NHC) on October 8th.

Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters when the surface temperature reaches at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.5 degrees Celsius). Warm, moist air rises, creating a low-pressure center that draws in more warm air from the surroundings. The resulting updrafts condense moisture, forming storm clouds. The Earth's rotation gives hurricanes their spiral shape. When the system reaches wind speeds of 74 mph (119 km/h), the meteorological phenomenon gains hurricane status.

The strength of hurricanes is assessed using the Saffir-Simpson scale, a tool used to classify them based on wind speed and potential damage they can cause. This scale divides hurricanes into five categories, with each higher category indicating a more destructive hurricane.

• Category 1 (74–95 mph) - Hurricanes of this category can cause moderate damage, mainly to unreinforced roofs, trees, and power lines.
• Category 2 (96–110 mph) - Winds of this strength can cause more severe damage, including damage to roofs, doors, and windows, as well as significant tree damage. There may also be localized power outages.
• Category 3 (111–129 mph) - Major Hurricane - Hurricanes in this category are considered "major," capable of destroying wooden structures, causing extensive damage to buildings, and causing prolonged power and water outages.
• Category 4 (130–156 mph) - Winds of this category can destroy most structures, tear roofs from buildings, and topple trees. The damage is extensive, and areas may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
• Category 5 (157 mph and above) - The most destructive hurricanes. They can completely destroy many buildings, cause massive infrastructure damage, and affected areas may be uninhabitable for a long time. Such hurricanes are very rare but bring catastrophic consequences.

Hurricane Milton is not the only one that Florida has faced recently. Hurricane Helen also struck this part of the United States not long ago. It is also worth recalling that the most powerful hurricane in history was recorded in this part of the world. It is considered to be Hurricane Wilma, a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. This hurricane was characterized by wind speeds of approximately 183 mph (295 km/h), a pressure center not exceeding 882 mbar (hPa), and a front spanning 466 miles (750 km).