Hurricane Milton is a strong tropical cyclone that made landfall in the U.S. state of Florida, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the state’s Big Bend region.

The thirteenth named storm, ninth hurricane, fourth major hurricane, and second Category 5 hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Milton formed from a long-tracked tropical disturbance which originated in the western Caribbean Sea and consolidated in the Bay of Campeche on October 5. The storm then underwent explosive intensification, and became a Category 5 hurricane on October 7 while still over the Gulf of Mexico. At peak intensity, the hurricane was the fifth-most intense in the Atlantic on record, and is the most powerful tropical cyclone worldwide in 2024. Milton weakened to Category 4 after an eyewall replacement cycle, then regained strength and became a Category 5 hurricane again. Increasing wind shear then caused the hurricane to weaken as it turned northeastwards towards Florida, eventually falling to Category 3 intensity before making landfall on Siesta Key. Ahead of the hurricane, Florida declared a state of emergency in which many coastal residents were ordered to evacuate. Preparations were also undertaken in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The hurricane also caused a tornado outbreak in Florida along with widespread flooding.

Links:
LIVE Orkaan Milton

NASA, SpaceX Secure Europa Clipper Ahead of Hurricane (Milton)

Schade en overstromingen door orkaan Milton in Florida, doden door tornado’s

Counting the human, environmental and political cost of Hurricane Milton