Hurricane Milton

[KenAdams]

Couldn't see a thread for this in Weather.

This looks like it's going to be really bad. Helene has already caused enough devastion in the area and the poor people of Tampa are in for a lot more today.

Some people are refusing to evacuate from what I understand but the Mayor of Tampa has warned if you don't evacuate you die.

I can't imagine how scary it must be for them.

There are local evacuation centres with Uber drivers offering free transportation.

what time (UK time) is it going to hit? Just looking at some US reports now.

Such a good point.
It does seem very much "everyone for themselves".

They could have brought in coaches surely

I think it will be all over the news when it hits - it odd the army isn't evacuating people. Can't imagine why this hasn't been organised quickly. People are stuck in grid lock traffic, if they are there this evening it will be horrific. The airlines shouldn't be allowed to increase prices in a time of emergency - it's disgusting, and not a time to profiteer.

There is transportation. The National Guard is being called out.

people want to bring their cars so they don't lose them if there is major storm surge.

Truly, rhe hardest part of getting people to evacuate in disaster prone areas is convincing them they really need to go this time. And the USA did learn a lot from the disaster during Katrina.

Commenting on a chat like this to complain about a cancelled holiday, you knowingly booked in hurricane season, is in epic poor taste. It's quite astonishing tbf.
The risk to life and terror residents are suffering at the moment waiting for milton to hit is terrifying. Worrying for the lives of their kids, their elderly, their animals - I mean clearly no decent person is going to give a rats ass about someone's cancelled holiday 🙄

Around 8 pm local time.

@Parker231 bur from what I can see there is no evacuation plan? There’s evacuation centres but the government are doing nothing to actually clear the area and save the people? Unless I’ve missed a big chunk of coverage where the army is stepping in etc?

Hoping and praying that people in the affected areas can stay as safe as possible 🤞

The app I have from the national hurricane centre seems to suggest it'll be over land by 1pm, so I'd imagine early morning? The only good thing I can seem to see is that it is predicted to go from cat 5 to 4 between now and then, hopefully some miracle happens and it drops even more strength

"Travelling to a state that has historically been hit by hurricanes, during hurricane season, is a choice those tourists make.

I saw a TikTok of a girl who was travelling the Appalachian trail saying that the hurricane was the "worst and most stressful time of her life".

Her hotel wasn't in an affected area"

Right, and? That would be Storm Helene and pretty much all of the Appalachian Trail was affected in some way.

People can be upset. This severity of hurricane wasn't expected and of course, those living in Tampa Bay are the ones everyone is most concerned for but it's ok to be disappointed about other things at the same time.

Do you all berate people going to Greece in the summer too?

And it means that if you're crying about your holiday, I'm sorry but you're a spoilt brat who should be happy you still have your life. That's how severe these storms are.

I had the same thought. It’s happening faster and more fierce than predicted too. It’s so depressing.

There’s a lot of hype and tension around this and rightly so, I’m hoping it doesn’t come anything close to what is predicted because it has the potential to be devastating. I’ve experienced a storm with extreme gale force winds in Cornwall staying on a beach property and that was terrifying enough, I cannot imagine the horror of a hurricane and storm surge.

1 am UK time

"And it means that if you're crying about your holiday, I'm sorry but you're a spoilt brat who should be happy you still have your life. That's how severe these storms are."

I think everyone knows how severe weather events can be. To suggest that all people should just skip along happily as long as they are alive, regardless of any other circumstances is fucking ridiculous though.

So am I. I really hope the power of the hurricane eases over the next hours.

But I would rather it was hyped and people fled than the opposite.

It's also scary to look at maps and see how many houses in Florida are basically on the beach/sandbanks etc. No wonder properties are vulnerable.

It’s been leading the BBC news this morning.

Guess what, they thought of that.

www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3930434/while-engaged-in-helene-relief-efforts-dod-prepares-for-hurricane-milton/

I'm sure I asked what it mean ages ago when someone used it in real life and was told it basically means 'Virtue signalling norther state people who travel to the south thinking they are superior' but I wouldn't swear to it.

Good.

Soon enough we'll see storms like this. Hopefully this starts to scare people into taking action.

My dad retired to Tampa- he initially thought he was far enough inland to avoid the surges etc but then on Monday he drove to around 6-7 petrol stations and none of them had petrol.
By that time he had used up most of his petrol and didn't have enough to look for more.
So he is stuck.
He has a generator and is planning on hunkering down. I feel sick with nerves.

Playing devils advocate here but surely living in a state historically hit by hurricanes is also a choice.

I mean yes the holiday post is tone deaf but presumably the attractions are open in autumn in expectation of tourists.

Is he able to get to a shelter? I'm following this on:

They've got news about shelters - else the second floor.

Please urge him to use the state free transport