Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene arrived in Florida, the state must prepare for Hurricane Milton, which is set to hit this week.
Milton has weakened slightly but is still a fierce storm that could deliver a once-in-a-century direct hit to Tampa and St. Petersburg, engulfing densely populated areas with towering storm surges and turning Helen's fragments into Projectiles.
This is something Marylanders should know.
When did Milton land?
Milton is expected to arrive on Florida's west coast later Wednesday. At that time, it is expected to become a Category 3 storm with winds of 111 to 129 mph.
The hurricane was still offshore early Tuesday. In Mexico, power lines, light poles and trees were knocked down and some small thatched-roof buildings were destroyed near the coast, Yucatan state governor Joaquín Díaz said, but he did not report any deaths or injuries.
How ready is Florida?
People are being evacuated from Tampa while crews work quickly to clean up the wreckage from Helen's body. Tampa International Airport has stopped flights Tuesday morning and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is a mandatory evacuation zone. The airport will close after the last flight on Tuesday.
Will Milton impact Maryland?
According to the National Hurricane Center's live hurricane tracker, Milton is not expected to hit Maryland. In fact, the National Weather Service has not predicted any impact from the hurricane in Maryland.
The Baltimore area is expected to have sunny skies on Tuesday, with a high near 69 degrees and northwest winds of 5 to 7 mph. The night will be clear with low pressure around 48 degrees and west wind around 5 mph.
The weather service said the weather will be sunny on Wednesday, with a high temperature around 71 degrees and a nighttime low around 47 degrees.
What is Maryland doing to assist?
The National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Chapter of the American Red Cross is sending personnel to Florida's west coast, Scott Mader, the nonprofit's regional communications manager, said in an emailed statement. Trained disaster responders from Washington, D.C.; Maryland; Virginia and Virginia districts began deploying Monday to help set up evacuation shelters, Mader said.
“We will continue to dedicate resources to respond to the storm and, in its aftermath, to help families recover from the expected devastation,” Mader said. “Approximately 2,100 Red Cross members are also working tirelessly to provide relief for the unimaginable devastation caused by Helen. And struggling families are provided with safe shelter, food, water and support.”
The American Red Cross is working with partners and local officials across the South to provide long-term recovery support to those affected by Helen and Milton, the American Red Cross said in a news release Monday.
Anyone who wants to help can visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
