Hurricane Milton is the category 3 hurricane that made landfall on October 9th. This dangerous hurricane has caused widespread destruction, flooding homes, causing power outages, and leading to additional storms. Over 3 million people were without power in Florida the next day. Four tornadoes were spotted in Miami with the numbers growing as well as many storm surge threats.

Forecasters recognized the potential for the storm along the Gulf Coast, including cities such as Tampa, Fort Myers, and Siesta Key in Florida. Other affected areas include the United States, Cuba, Georgia, and the Bahamas. 

Alarms were raised due to the forecast which indicated heavy rainfall as well as severe weather headed on the way.

The weather had been the primary cause of severe storms, such as Hurricane Milton. Florida has been unbearably hot and dry this year, raising suspicions of an impending storm; however, nothing had been confirmed.

Those suspicions turned into a reality as the storm was headed for Florida. Mass evacuations were called out as people had to take shelter. Darkness fell earlier than expected, and soon the power went out. The climate change as well as the heat waves is what has been causing more of the storms and hurricanes.

Sophomore Anjuli Mahajan mentioned that, “As someone with family in Florida, Hurricane Milton and other tropical storms in the past are always a cause of concern. Others may be in a similar situation, with loved ones who may be within proximity to the hurricane and can share these same worries.” To add on, she also explained that, “There are various ways to anticipate a hurricane, such as paying close attention to weather and fleeing when deemed necessary. Flood-proofing technology is also a good way to prepare if not directly with

in the vicinity of a tropical storm.” Overall, these preparations highlight the seriousness of the situation, especially given the severe consequences when storms do have the possibility to hit.

In the end, many people were faced with the catastrophic consequences of the hurricane. At least 24 people died as a result of the storm and hundreds of homes were destroyed. Nearly a thousand people were rescued, and Hurricane Milton has been recorded as one of the most disastrous Atlantic hurricanes in history due to its intensifying winds, the storms it brought with it, and the mass destruction it caused.