Hurricane Milton expected to unleash ‘worst devastation since Hurricane Katrina’ with 200mph winds in ‘once-in-a-generation’ storm event

Meteorologists are meticulously studying the storm’s path with the merest change in track threatening dire consequences.

They fear Milton will be one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in US history when it makes landfall today.

AccuWeather meteorologist Jon Porter said: “Our forecast for 120 mph to 140 mph wind gusts will result in significant destruction.

“We expect roofs to fail, as well as long-lasting and widespread power outages.

“Our experts are increasingly concerned that Milton may have a ‘worst-case” hurricane impact on the Tampa Bay area.

“We are very concerned that Hurricane Milton could become one of the most damaging and costliest storms that Florida has ever seen.”

The mammoth storm has intensified from a category-2 to category-5 hurricane in just hours.

It has fed off unusually warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico to become one of the most powerful hurricanes in the region.

It is forecast to plough across the gulf and into the west coast of Florida today as hundreds of people are told to evacuate.

Mr Porter said: “Slight variations in Milton’s track could have major ramifications for the impacts experienced in various parts of Florida.

“In a scenario which now appears more probable, should an intense Milton track just north of Tampa, storm surges of 23 feet could occur in parts of Tampa Bay, resulting in widespread, catastrophic damage not seen in this part of Tampa Bay in modern history.

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“Hurricane Milton could become the next once-in-a-generation storm for millions of people across Florida.”

Milton comes just days after Hurricane Helene last week hit the regions with widespread devastation.

Like Helene, Milton is a home-grown hurricane, spawning in unusually warm waters off the US coast.

It comes during what is feared to be a particularly active hurricane season as another storm – Leslie – churns the Atlantic.

This week has seen three hurricanes simultaneously stir Atlantic waters for the first time on record.

Mr Porter said: “This is the second time in just the past two weeks that we’ve had to warn people of a once-in-a-generation storm.

“We have had three hurricanes in the Atlantic basin, and this is the first time we’ve seen the tropics this active outside of the month of September.

“This is yet another reminder of how impactful and significant this year’s hurricane season has been.”

The combined impact of Milton in the wake of Helene’s 250-billion dollar trail of destruction is feared will be the worst hurricane assault since Katrina in 2005.

Jim Dale, US meteorologist for British Weather Services and co-author of ‘Surviving Extreme Weather’, said: “Milton is following a similar track to Helene and has formed in a similar way in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

“In terms of coast, this could be the worst hurricane event since Katrina.”

Milton will spin towards Florida through the early hours of today, before hauling over the east coast and into the Atlantic through the next 36 hours.

It is expected to burgeon into an ‘extremely dangerous’ hurricane as it crosses the Florida Peninsula.

A spokesman for the US National Hurricane Centre said: “Potentially devastating hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida.

“Milton is forecast to remain a hurricane as it crosses the Florida Peninsula and life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread inland across a portion of the entire Peninsula.

“This is an extremely life-threatening situation and residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate immediately if told to do so.”