Hurricane Milton weakens but leaves millions powerless
Hurricane Milton, which reached the western shores of Florida, weakened to a category one storm. A recording from Tampa Bay has surfaced online, showing Milton rapidly pulling water out of the bay. "The water is gone," can be heard on the recording.
9:02 AM EDT, October 10, 2024
The hurricane, which initially hit Florida’s western shores, has weakened from a category three to a category one. According to the American National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Thursday, its maximum wind speed is currently 93 mph.
Current location and effects
Meteorologists report that Milton is about 65 miles southwest of Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Polish Press Agency notes that the hurricane has left over 2 million Americans without power. On Wednesday, there were about 1,900 flight cancellations, and more than 60% of gas stations in Tampa and St. Petersburg ran out of fuel.
Effects of a category three hurricane
Milton, a category three hurricane, struck Florida on Wednesday evening Eastern Time. It brought winds exceeding 121 mph, dangerous tornadoes, and the threat of flooding.
The water level in the Gulf of Mexico rose by over 8 feet near Sarasota.
Additionally, Milton "sucked" water from Tampa Bay. "The water is gone. It has been sucked out by Milton," says Brian Entin, a national correspondent for NewsNation, in the recording.
Hurricane Milton's strength came from the exceptionally warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It reached category five twice, with maximum sustained wind speeds nearing 205 mph.
