Hurricane Milton is expected to be so powerful that it could permanently alter Florida’s coastline. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that 95% of Florida’s west coast beaches will be overwhelmed by ocean water when the Category 4 storm makes landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. USGS scientists are particularly concerned about the storm’s waves and surge, which could cause severe erosion and overwash, potentially reshaping the coastline for good.
Experts are emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the storm, with USGS scientist Kara Doran stating, “The significance of the coastal change forecast for Milton’s impact to the Florida west coast cannot be overstated.” Meteorologists have been urging residents to take evacuation orders seriously, as Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned that those attempting to ride out the storm would be risking their lives.
Milton’s winds, which reached 180 mph earlier this week, briefly surpassed the Category 5 threshold. Though now a Category 4 storm, some experts speculate it could push beyond the 192 mph mark, leading to calls for a new “Category 6” designation for storms of such magnitude. However, no official new scale has been created yet.
As the storm approaches, the potential for devastation is high, with the National Hurricane Center forecasting catastrophic damage, including widespread destruction of homes, fallen trees, and prolonged power outages. Milton is poised to leave a lasting impact on the state, both in terms of its immediate destruction and its permanent reshaping of the Florida coastline.
