INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A state of emergency has been declared in Florida ahead of Milton, which is forecast to plow into the western peninsula on Wednesday as a
major hurricaneThis comes just days after the devastating Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage to the region earlier this month.Milton,
another significant tropical threat to the US, is lurking in the Gulf of Mexico, AccuWeather experts have reported.These weather experts say
impacts ranging from a devastating storm surge to major flooding from rain, damaging wind gusts, pounding surf and tornadoes are expected in
Florida.Because of the risk, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency and is urging that preparations to protect life
and property should begin immediately.&This is an unusual and extremely concerning forecast track for a hurricane approaching the Tampa Bay
area,& warned AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter.&Milton could rapidly intensify into a major hurricane with extreme impacts
This hurricane could create a life-threatening storm surge,& he said.AccuWeather meteorologists reported Monday that before Milton moves
ashore in Florida, it will have ample time to rapidly strengthen over the very warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico
T&The ocean heat content is at the highest level on record for this time of year in the Gulf, despite the recent passage of Helene,& added
AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva.&The deep, warm waters can act like rocket fuel for Milton, allowing for rapid
intensification.&The threat posed by heavy rain will precede Milton&s arrival by several days
Heavy rain was already falling over the Florida peninsula this weekend, and will continue through the early part of the week, well ahead of
impacts from wind and storm surge.Milton is the thirteenth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season
Hurricanes Kirk and Leslie were also churning across the open Atlantic as of late this weekend, though neither pose an immediate, direct
threat to land. The post State of Emergency declared in Florida ahead of hurricane Milton first appeared on Ariana News.
