Prepare once more, Floridians! Another hurricane is imminent, following the recent disturbance caused by Helene.
While the state is still cleaning up from Helene, which hit Florida's Big Bend on September 26 as a Category 4 and left a 500-mile trail of destruction with devastating floods and strong winds, it's now facing Tropical Storm Milton.
Milton is expected to "swiftly amplify" as it moves eastward to northeastward across the Gulf of Mexico and could reach major hurricane strength when it reaches the west coast of the Florida Peninsula midweek, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The main question is how quickly and to what extent Milton will intensify, says the hurricane center. Milton is projected to hit Florida with maximum winds of up to Category 3, 115 mph. Storm and hurricane watches are likely to be issued for parts of the Florida coast by Sunday, as dangerous storm surges are expected in certain areas already affected by Helene.
Regardless of the specifics, the hurricane center predicts a powerful hurricane with dangerous effects will hit the west coast of Florida around mid-week, bringing heavy rain to parts of Florida on Sunday and Monday.
Milton formed in the western Gulf on Saturday morning, only hours after it became a tropical depression. The National Hurricane Center declared that Milton is happening weeks earlier than expected, as it usually doesn't occur until October 25. The storm is forecast to become a hurricane in about 36 hours and a major hurricane in 72 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The rapidly strengthening Milton has the potential to cause significant impacts in areas of the west coast of Florida beginning Tuesday or Wednesday. With minimal vertical wind shear and extremely high water temperatures, Milton will be able to gain steady to rapid strength in the coming days.
In response to the impending storm, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, according to a statement from his office. The storm could delay recovery efforts from Helene and impact coastal communities still recovering from Helene, the statement said.
Heavy rainfall is a mounting concern, the hurricane center states. Rainfall of 5 to 8 inches is expected in sections of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys, with localized totals of up to 12 inches. This rainfall poses a risk of flash, urban, and river flooding in addition to minor to moderate river flooding.
There is also a rising risk of storm surges for the western Florida Peninsula starting Tuesday or Wednesday. Damaging winds, tornadoes, and waterspouts are also possible during the upcoming week.
Authorities urge residents to prepare for another possibly dangerous storm
Less than a week has passed since Helene struck the state, but officials in Florida are already urging residents to prepare for another potentially deadly storm as many are still in the process of recovery.
"Here we go again," said the police department in Naples, Florida, warning of heavy rain and flooding concerns starting Sunday and continuing through the middle of next week. Authorities advised residents not to drive through flooded streets.
Florida's emergency officials are once again announcing sandbag distribution sites. Multiple sandbag locations will be available in counties that could be impacted by the storm, the Florida Division of Emergency Management announced Saturday.
The town of Fort Myers Beach warned residents "to remain vigilant and prepared," and said sandbags would be available at the town hall.
"Those living in flood-prone areas should be aware that the town's stormwater system will not alleviate water seeping over seawalls from the back bay," the town said in a Facebook post.
In the city of Sanibel, which previously received over 50 inches of rain and floodwaters due to Helene, residents and businesses were advised to start preparing for the storm's effects "as soon as possible."
"Residents and businesses should anticipate Tropical Storm or Hurricane Milton will likely bring flooding to Sanibel," the city said in a news release Saturday. "Residents and businesses in low-lying areas of Sanibel, or who may not feel safe in their structures during a storm, should consider finding alternative accommodations ahead of the storm's arrival."
Since Helene hit the city, crews have been working tirelessly to clear storm drains and debris and manage weirs to increase storm water storage capacity, the city said.
Sanibel officials encouraged residents to clear debris from drainage areas near their homes or businesses before any heavy rainfall.
Another area in Milton's potential path is Pinellas County, which reported more than 28,000 properties had been damaged or destroyed by Helene. Officials said it's too soon to tell what impact Milton will have on the county, but residents could start picking up sandbags at county sites starting Sunday.
To help with debris removal caused by Helene, the governor ordered "Disaster Debris Management Sites and landfills in all counties affected by Hurricane Helene to remain open 24 hours a day for debris drop-off," the Saturday statement from his office said, adding that the state is working to ensure as much debris from Helene is cleaned up and disposed of before the impending storm.
In hard-struck Pinellas County, where numerous homes have been damaged or erased by Helene, displaced inhabitants who are picking up the pieces might need to face another tempest soon.
"Some of us cry, some of us hug each other, and then we just put on our big woman pants and keep going," mentioned St. Petersburg resident Debbie Bright to CNN affiliate WFTS. Her residence has been demolished, and all her belongings are currently stored in a 5-by-10-foot container, she revealed.
Bright expressed that she was totally shocked by the destruction she witnessed in her area.
"I have four grandchildren and this is the only place they've ever known. They walk in, and they're crying because this was nanny and papi's house," Bright said.
Bright sheltered in Palm Harbor during the storm, but the storm surge forced its way through her backdoor and dragged much of her furniture into the bay, she said.
"We're on day number seven here, and when I arrived this morning, I sat in a chair and we cried, and then we're okay and then we cry again," Bright told WFTS.
The only factor keeping her community together is the support from neighbors, Bright mentioned. The only hope she has at this point is a quick recovery for her community.
"It's sort of one hour at a time, one day at a time," Bright said.
CNN journalists Allison Chinchar and Elisa Raffa contributed to this report.
- Given the current weather situation, residents in flood-prone areas are advised to prepare for potential heavy rainfall and flooding from Tropical Storm Milton, as recommended by the town's authorities in Fort Myers Beach.
- With another potentially dangerous storm on the horizon, Florida's emergency officials are once again distributing sandbags at various locations to help residents protect their properties from floodwaters, following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
