Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Category 4

Hurricane Milton has rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 storm, prompting hurricane and storm surge watches along Florida’s western Gulf Coast. The storm poses a significant threat, with life-threatening storm surges, destructive winds, and heavy rainfall expected by midweek.

“If Milton remains on its current path, it will be the most powerful hurricane to strike the Tampa Bay area in over a century. Residents have never experienced a storm of this magnitude before,” warned the National Weather Service in a briefing on Monday morning.

The agency also emphasized, “Milton is set to become a historic event for Florida’s west coast.”

 

Growing in Strength

Residents in areas prone to storm surges should heed local officials’ instructions and evacuate if ordered. This is a severe situation, with the National Hurricane Center predicting surges between 8 and 12 feet above ground along the western Florida Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay, if the surge coincides with high tide.

Hurricane and Storm Surge Alerts:

Hurricane Watch: In effect for much of Florida’s western Gulf Coast, from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay. This indicates hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or more) are possible within 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Watch: Covers areas north and south of the hurricane watch, extending into Florida’s Big Bend and the southwest coast. Mexico’s northern Yucatán Peninsula is also under alert.

Storm Surge Watch: Extends from Flamingo to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay, signaling the potential for life-threatening surges within 48 hours.

Stay informed, follow local advice, and be prepared to take action to stay safe.
Hurricane and Storm Surge Alerts:

Hurricane Watch: In effect for much of Florida’s western Gulf Coast, from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay. This indicates hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or more) are possible within 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Watch: Covers areas north and south of the hurricane watch, extending into Florida’s Big Bend and the southwest coast. Mexico’s northern Yucatán Peninsula is also under alert.

Storm Surge Watch: Extends from Flamingo to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay, signaling the potential for life-threatening surges within 48 hours.

Stay informed, follow local advice, and be prepared to take action to stay safe.

The 4th Hurricane of the Year

Hurricane Milton

Helenes Devastation

Hurricane Helene's Devistation

Hurricane Category 4

Hurricane Helene (2024) made landfall in Florida on September 26 as a powerful Category 4 hurricane. It brought life-threatening storm surges, destructive winds, and heavy flooding to coastal areas, especially Florida’s Big Bend region. Residents in low-lying areas faced mandatory evacuations, and parts of the Gulf Coast were hit with over 130 mph winds. Major flooding is also a concern in Georgia and the Carolinas, with storm surges causing widespread damage to homes and infrastructure​(
FOX Weather
) .

For live updates, check the National Hurricane Center: NHC Helene Advisory.

Historic Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on Thursday, September 26, at around 11 p.m. as a powerful Category 4 storm. It brought sustained winds of up to 140 mph. By Friday afternoon, Helene had weakened to a tropical depression, but its heavy rains and winds continued to wreak havoc over an 800-mile stretch across the southeastern United States. The storm claimed over 100 lives across six states, with hundreds more reported missing. As of Sunday evening, more than 2,000 people were seeking shelter in 73 locations spread across five states. Additionally, more than 4.5 million people lost power due to the storm, with over 2 million still without electricity at the time of reporting.

President Biden issued federal disaster declarations for Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. In response, the Biden administration has mobilized over 3,200 federal personnel to assist with the recovery efforts. FEMA Acting Response and Recovery Director Keith Turi emphasized the ongoing dangers, warning that many injuries and fatalities occur after the initial storm has passed. He urged residents to heed local officials’ warnings and proceed cautiously during recovery efforts.

In the affected areas, hundreds of water rescues have been conducted. One notable rescue took place at Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, where over 50 people were airlifted from the hospital roof after being trapped by floodwaters. Helicopters have been essential for reaching stranded survivors in some regions. A major concern in the aftermath of the storm is the lack of access to clean drinking water, with many cities enforcing boil water advisories, which have been complicated by widespread power outages.

North Carolina has declared a public health emergency as it deals with severe flooding, with some regions receiving nearly 30 inches of rain. Governor Roy Cooper confirmed that emergency responders are doing everything they can to provide aid, but communication challenges and submerged roads are complicating efforts. Flooding was worsened by water overtopping the Lake Lure Dam, which prompted evacuations and over 25 swift water rescues. Governor Cooper described Helene as “one of the worst storms in modern history.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also reported that Hurricane Helene caused more devastation than Hurricane Idalia, which hit the Big Bend region in 2023 as the strongest storm in over 125 years. Mandatory evacuations were enforced in 23 Florida counties, including Taylor County, where a 15-foot storm surge accompanied Helene’s landfall. Damage assessments remain incomplete due to persistent flooding.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) and the Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) are closely monitoring the situation and are working to support low-income households and advocates. Through its Disaster Housing Recovery, Research, and Resilience (DHR) initiative, the NLIHC-led DHRC, composed of over 900 national, state, and local organizations, is committed to ensuring that federal disaster recovery efforts reach those most affected and marginalized by disasters, including low-income households and people experiencing homelessness.

Helene Recovery

Hurricane Milton

Helenes Landfall

Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Category 4

Hurricane Helene (2024) made landfall in Florida on September 26 as a powerful Category 4 hurricane. It brought life-threatening storm surges, destructive winds, and heavy flooding to coastal areas, especially Florida’s Big Bend region. Residents in low-lying areas faced mandatory evacuations, and parts of the Gulf Coast were hit with over 130 mph winds. Major flooding is also a concern in Georgia and the Carolinas, with storm surges causing widespread damage to homes and infrastructure​(
FOX Weather
) .

For live updates, check the National Hurricane Center: NHC Helene Advisory.

Historic Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene was a fast-moving, destructive storm that struck Florida’s Big Bend region, marking the strongest hurricane to ever hit the area. It was the eighth named storm and second major hurricane of the 2024 season. Helene formed in the Western Caribbean in mid-September and strengthened as it crossed the Gulf of Mexico, reaching Category 4 with 140 mph winds before making landfall near Perry, Florida, on September 26. The storm caused severe flooding in North Carolina and Tennessee, leading to 58 confirmed deaths as of September 28.

The 3rd Hurricane of the Year

Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Debby

Hurricane Debby

Hurricane Category 1

Hurricane Debby (2024) is currently a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. It made landfall along the Big Bend coast of Florida and is causing significant concerns for catastrophic flooding in the Southeast as it moves slowly inland. Debby has already led to heavy rains, power outages, and road closures in Florida, including the closure of the main bridge to St. George Island. The storm has also spawned tornadoes, resulting in at least one fatality and several injuries​ (National Hurricane Center)​.
The 2nd Hurricane of the Year

Securing Your Home Before a Hurricane

Securing Your Home Before a Hurricane

Securing Your Home

Protecting Your Property

Securing Your Home Before a Hurricane
Why It’s Important
Securing your home before a hurricane can significantly reduce the damage caused by high winds, flying debris, and flooding. Proper home preparation protects your property, reduces repair costs, and ensures a safer environment for you and your family during the storm.

How You Benefit
By taking proactive steps to secure your home, you enhance its structural integrity and minimize the risk of severe damage. This preparation can lead to lower repair costs and faster recovery. Additionally, insurance companies may offer discounts for homes with certain hurricane-resistant features.

Steps You Can Take Right Now
Install Storm Shutters: Protect windows and doors with storm shutters or plywood to prevent breakage from flying debris.
Reinforce Garage Doors: Strengthen garage doors to withstand high winds and reduce the risk of them blowing in.
Secure Outdoor Items: Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, decorations, and any loose items that could become projectiles.
Trim Trees and Shrubs: Remove dead or overhanging branches that could cause damage to your home.
Inspect and Repair Roof: Ensure your roof is in good condition and consider installing hurricane straps or clips to reinforce it.

Protecting Your Belongings

– Review your existing homeowner’s insurance policy to understand what coverage it provides for hurricane-related damage. Most standard policies cover wind damage but may have specific limitations.

Protecting Your Home
Protecting Property
Protect Your Vehicle
Protect Your Boat