Additional Coverage:
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Florida’s west coast late Wednesday into early Thursday. The storm has been upgraded and downgraded in recent days due to its fluctuating wind speeds.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which ranks hurricanes based on wind speed, does not fully capture the storm’s potential hazards. Milton’s growing size and potential for a massive storm surge, which are not factored into the scale, are concerning experts.
The hurricane’s wind field is expected to expand as it approaches Florida, increasing the area affected by damaging winds, storm surge, and heavy rainfall. Milton’s storm surge is predicted to be unprecedented in west-central Florida, comparable only to major hurricanes in 1848 and 1921.
The extent of Milton’s damage will depend on its landfall location and the severity of its other effects. A Category 4 landfall, as currently predicted, would bring catastrophic damage, including widespread power outages and structural damage.