Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton is Visiting Florida - Pack Your Bags (and maybe a surfboard)!

Hurricane Milton is here and it's a party you definitely want to avoid! Stay safe and keep track of the storm as it barrels toward the Sunshine State!

Hurricane Milton, currently classified as a Category 5 storm, is making quite the ruckus as it approaches the Florida coastline. Local authorities are urging residents to heed evacuation orders if they are issued, with rainfall predictions ranging from 2 to 4 inches, gusty winds, and even the potential for isolated tornadoes. If your plans included a sunny beach day, it's advisable to swap that for a cozy spot with snacks, a great movie, and a lot of safety precaution.

As Hurricane Milton gears up to hit places that have barely recovered from Hurricane Helene, residents are on high alert. The National Hurricane Center has been broadcasting updates relentlessly, keeping everyone in the loop about the storm's path and potential impact. So, ready your storm supplies (hopefully those gummy bears are stocked), as Milton makes its way towards Tampa Bay. The winds are about to get ‘gusty’ – in a not-so-fun way!

The University of South Florida is prioritizing the safety of its community as they keep a close watch on the storm's projected impacts. With students, faculty, and staff often finding themselves right in the middle of these weather events, the university is ensuring precautions are taken seriously, including keeping everyone informed and safe. And let's not kid ourselves; this is not the type of school spirit the Gators were hoping for this semester!

As Milton intensifies, even Governor DeSantis has stepped in to warn residents about the impending landfall. It’s a reality that’s all too familiar for Floridians, and that resilience is commendable. In case you didn’t get the memo, hurricanes and Florida have a long-standing relationship, with the Sunshine State being hit by an average of about 1 hurricane or tropical storm every three years. Not exactly the summer vacation everyone had in mind, but definitely a reason to stay prepared!

Fun Fact #1: Did you know that the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic was Hurricane Wilma in 2005, which also reached a Category 5 status? Meanwhile, it’s interesting to note that recorded hurricanes date as far back as 1851, making these events part of every Floridian's history lesson, even if you'd rather skip the quiz!

Fun Fact #2: The ‘W’ names are used for storms and hurricanes once we enter the Greek alphabet! That means if we run out of regular names (like Milton), you might just see a Hurricane Zeta! So strap in, this hurricane season is going to be one for the record books!