Hurricane Milton Upgrade to Category 5 as It Heads Toward Western Florida

In the US, Hurricane Milton has been upgraded once again to Category 5, as it moves toward western Florida following a brief weakening to Category 4. The hurricane could become the most severe storm system to hit Florida in over 100 years. 

The storm is expected to make landfall in the heavily populated Tampa Bay area by tomorrow. Sea surges of up to 20 feet are anticipated along coastal regions where evacuation orders have already been issued. More



than five million residents along the Florida’s western coast have been urged to evacuate ahead of the hurricane’s landfall.

    

In response to the crisis, US President Joe Biden has postponed planned visits to Germany and Angola later this week. On Monday, President Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida, which is still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene.