Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton
Milton near peak intensity just north of the Yucatán Peninsula on October 7
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 5, 2024 (2024-10-05)
ExtratropicalOctober 10, 2024 (2024-10-10)
DissipatedOctober 12, 2024 (2024-10-12)
Category 5 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds180 mph (285 km/h)
Lowest pressure897 mbar (hPa); 26.49 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities35 total
Missing6
Damage>$85 billion (2024 USD)(Unofficial estimates)
Areas affected
[1]
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Milton was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone which became the second-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded over the Gulf of Mexico, behind only Hurricane Rita in 2005. Milton made landfall on the west coast of the U.S. state of Florida, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the state's Big Bend region.[2] The thirteenth named storm, ninth hurricane, fourth major hurricane, and second Category 5 hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Milton is the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide in 2024 so far.

Milton formed from a long-tracked tropical disturbance that originated in the western Caribbean Sea and consolidated in the Bay of Campeche on October 5. Gradual intensification occurred as it slowly moved eastward, becoming a hurricane early on October 7. Later that day, Milton underwent explosive intensification and became a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 180 mph (285 km/h). At peak intensity, it had a pressure of 897 millibars (26.49 inHg), making it the fifth-most intense Atlantic hurricane on record.[3] Milton weakened to a Category 4 hurricane after an eyewall replacement cycle, and reintensified into a Category 5 hurricane the following day.[4][5] Increasing wind shear caused the hurricane to weaken as it turned northeast towards Florida, falling to Category 3 status before making landfall near Siesta Key late on October 9.[6][7] Afterwards, Milton rapidly weakened as it moved across the state into the Atlantic Ocean, and became extratropical on October 10 as it became embedded within a frontal zone. The remnants gradually weakened and passed near the island of Bermuda before dissipating on October 12.

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 spawned a deadly tornado outbreak and caused widespread flooding in Florida. As of October 21, 2024, Hurricane Milton killed at least 35 people: 32 in the United States and three in Mexico. Preliminary damage estimates place the total cost of destruction from the storm at US$85 billion.[1]

  1. ^ a b "The real reason billion-dollar disasters like Hurricane Helene are growing more common". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 24, 2024. (subscription required)
  2. ^ Chinchar, Allison (October 5, 2024). "Less than 10 days after Helene made landfall in Florida, the state is bracing for another hurricane". CNN. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fifth most intense was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Hurricane Milton live updates: Monster storm re-intensifies to Category 5 as Florida braces for direct hit". NBC News. October 8, 2024. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Berg-2024 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Czachor, Emily Mae (October 9, 2024). "Hurricane Milton dips to Category 3 as it heads for Florida landfall - CBS News". CBS News. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  7. ^ "Hurricane Milton Makes Landfall On Florida's West Coast". The Weather Channel. Retrieved October 10, 2024.