New hurricane threatens Florida as it reels from devastation
A state of emergency has been declared in parts of Florida as a hurricane approaches the already devastated Gulf Coast.
The National Hurricane Center confirmed that Milton, currently situated off the coast of Mexico, intensified into a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday and could bring “life-threatening hazards” to parts of Florida’s west coast.
This announcement follows just 10 days after Storm Helene, the deadliest storm to hit the mainland since Katrina in 2005, swept through the Southeast, resulting in at least 225 fatalities and leaving hundreds missing.
In Florida, where Helene claimed at least 14 lives, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an emergency alert for 35 counties and stated that preparations were underway to restore power and clear roads ahead of Milton’s landfall.
On Sunday, Milton was recorded with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h).
“There is growing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will impact portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week,” the Hurricane Center warned.
Heavy rainfall is expected in the region from Sunday through Monday, with additional rain and strong winds forecasted for Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Rainfall could be between 5-8in (127-203mm) across the Florida Peninsula and the Keys, with some areas receiving up to 12in (304mm), which could bring a risk of flash flooding and minor-to-moderate river flooding for parts of the west coast, the centre said.
The new hurricane comes as the clean-up efforts from Helene could take years, according to the US government.
While a large proportion of the deaths occurred in North Carolina, others have been recorded in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Hundreds of roads remain closed, hampering efforts to send aid to hard-hit communities.
Helene, which made landfall as a category four hurricane, damaged structures, caused flash flooding, and knocked out power to millions of homes.
