All right, so we are diving deep today
into Tropical Storm Milton.
Yeah, looks like Florida might be taking on
a bit more water soon if the forecasts are right.
Seriously, it's barely been two weeks
since Hurricane Helene and now this.
Everyone seems especially concerned about this one.
Yeah, I've got the articles here from the Washington Post
and the New York Times and then Fox Weather too,
plus that email you forwarded me from your friend.
And yeah, it's all kind of saying the same thing.
That's kind of what has everyone worried, right?
Like all these different sources
and everyone's saying, yep, this one is one to watch.
Exactly, it's like when all the different weather models
suddenly align and you're like, oh, this might be bad.
Right, usually there's at least someone saying it's fine,
but not this time.
So for those of us who haven't been glued
to the weather channel, what is it about Milton
that has everyone so concerned?
Well, for starters, this storm is like
the express train of hurricanes.
It is going to strengthen fast.
Rapid intensification, right?
Like going from zero to 60 in like a day.
Exactly, and that makes it harder to predict
and harder for people to prepare.
And if I'm remembering my hurricane lingo correctly,
rapid intensification usually means a higher chance
of it being a serious storm when it makes landfall.
Right on the money there, stronger, faster,
and with less time to get ready.
Okay, so we've got a storm that's basically got a lead foot
and is heading towards Florida.
Where exactly is it predicted to hit?
Right now the models are pointing to somewhere
between Tampa and Naples on the West Coast.
So potentially a similar area to Haleen,
but maybe a little farther south.
Yeah, and that's a concern because if it does end up
hitting further south, those areas south of the Big Bend
could get hit with even higher storm surge than Haleen.
Oh no, not good.
Those areas are still recovering from the last one.
Exactly, and we know storm surge is often
the most dangerous part of a hurricane.
Right, it's not just about the wind and rain.
It's about that wall of water that can just surge inland
and wipe everything out.
And your friend's email made a good point
about the West Coast of Florida
being extra vulnerable to that.
Why is that again?
Something about the shape of the coastline.
It's kind of like the geography of the Gulf Coast
conspires to make storm surge worse in that area.
The shallow waters and the shape of the coastline
basically give the storm surge nowhere to go but up.
Oh right, so it's like aiming a fire hose at a wall.
The water has to go somewhere.
That's a good way to put it.
And unfortunately in this case that somewhere
is often people's homes and businesses.
Not a good combination at all.
So we've got the potential for a strong hurricane
making landfall on Florida's West Coast
with a high risk of storm surge,
particularly south of the Big Bend.
What else do we need to know?
Well you know how they say when it rains it pours well?
Well in this case it might be more like
when it hurricanes it floods.
Oh you're talking about the rainfall predictions right?
Yeah, Milton is not messing around in the rain department.
We're talking potentially up to a foot of rain in some areas.
And remember this is on top of ground
that's already soaked from Helene.
Oh man it's like someone up there is trying to give Florida
a bath and they're not being gentle about it.
Seriously though, that much rain on top of
already saturated ground is a recipe for some major flooding.
And didn't some of the articles mention something about
this being similar to the flooding they had
in the Appalachians during Helene?
Yeah, the Washington Post article I think,
it said the flooding in Florida probably will not be
as extreme as what they saw in the Appalachians
but it did draw some comparisons.
Cause I was thinking about that.
I remember seeing those images on the news.
Entire towels were underwater.
It was terrifying.
Yeah the mountains and valleys there tend to funnel
all that rain into the valleys creating those flash floods.
So is it less likely to be that kind of
sudden intense flooding in Florida?
Probably Florida is much flatter
so the water won't necessarily rise as quickly
but it will spread out more.
So instead of a flash flood it's more like
a slow steady inundation.
Exactly.
And considering the ground is already saturated
even a smaller amount of rain could lead to problems.
So it's not just the amount of rain, it's the timing too.
Precisely.
And let's be clear here, flooding is dangerous
no matter how it happens.
Absolutely.
It can damage homes, disrupt infrastructure
and even lead to long-term health issues
from mold and contaminated water.
It's nothing to take lightly.
And don't forget the psychological stress
that comes with all of this.
This is gonna be a tough one for a lot of people
especially those who are still reeling from Helene.
That's a really good point.
We often focus on the physical dangers
but the emotional toll of a hurricane
can be just as devastating.
Absolutely.
It's important to acknowledge that
and to reach out for help if you need it.
Okay so we've got this potential for some serious flooding
on top of everything else.
What are the experts saying about all of this?
Did the FOX weather folks have any insights?
They did.
They interviewed hurricane specialist
Brian Norcross and he did not mince words.
Oh that's never been signed
when the hurricane experts aren't sugarcoating it.
What did he say?
He called the storm's development alarming
and warned that this has the potential to be worse
than Helene for parts of the west coast of Florida.
Wow.
Yeah those are some strong words coming from someone
who knows hurricanes inside and out.
Not exactly what you wanna hear
especially after everything we've just discussed.
Right and it highlights why we need to take these forecasts
seriously and get prepared.
For sure.
This is definitely a situation that's evolving
rapidly and we're gonna wanna stay on top of it.
Absolutely and that's what we're here for
to help you make sense of it all.
Exactly.
So let's dive a little deeper into those forecasts
and talk about what people can do to prepare
for whatever Milton throws their way.
You know one thing that really stood out to me
in those forecasts was all the talk about
the cone of uncertainty.
Oh yeah that's right.
The hurricane track they always show
with that cone shaped area around it.
Exactly.
It's basically a visual reminder that even with all
our fancy technology we can't predict exactly
where hurricane is gonna go.
It's like Mother Nature's way of saying,
yeah good luck with that.
Pretty much.
And that cone is important because it shows
all the possible paths the storm could take.
The center line might miss you but a slight wobble
and boom you're right in the thick of it.
So even if you're not directly in the center line
of that cone you still need to be paying attention.
Absolutely.
Especially in a situation like this where the storm
is still developing and could shift course.
Speaking of shifting course, your friend's email
mentioned something about a cold front
and some upper level winds that could potentially
mess with Milton's path.
What's the deal with that?
Yeah so basically we've got this atmospheric
showdown brewing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricanes like Milton are fueled by warm ocean water.
It's like their energy drink.
But Milton's path might intersect with a cold front
and some strong upper level winds.
Think of it like a tug of war between hot
and cold air masses.
And what happens when a hurricane meets a cold front?
Does it weaken it?
It can.
A cold front can disrupt a hurricane's circulation
and cut off its access to that warm water it loves.
But here's the thing, sometimes that interaction
can actually make the storm bigger and wetter
even if it's wind speeds drop.
So it's like trading some wind power for extra rain power.
Exactly, it's like Milton's thinking fine,
you wanna take away my wind, I'll just drown you instead.
That's not very supporting a Milton.
And didn't your friend use the word nor Easter at some point?
What exactly is a nor Easter anyway?
Oh yeah, good catch.
Your friend is right on the money with that.
A nor Easter is a type of storm that forms
along the East Coast when cold air from the North
clashes with warm air from the South.
They're notorious for bringing tons of rain and strong winds
kind of like a hurricane's more unpredictable cousin.
And they usually hit up North, right?
Like the Northeast US.
Exactly, but depending on how this whole
cold front situation plays out,
Milton could take on some nor Easter like characteristics
potentially impacting a much wider area.
Wow, so we've got this potential hurricane
possibly changing course, maybe weakening,
but also maybe morphing into a rain soaked nor Easter.
It's like trying to predict the ending of a movie
with three different possible endings.
That's a great analogy and it's why it's so important
to stay glued to those forecasts
and be prepared for anything.
Speaking of being prepared, those early showers
and thunderstorms they were talking about in the forecasts,
those aren't anything to brush off, are they?
Not at all, those are the opening act for Milton's big show.
We could see those showers and thunderstorms
start drenching the Florida peninsula as early as Sunday.
So days before the hurricane even gets there.
Exactly, it's like Milton is sending out its scouts
to soften things up a bit.
And by soften things up, I mean soak everything in sight.
Which is not good considering everything
we've already talked about with the ground
being saturated from Hulene.
It's like trying to pour a gallon of water
into a glass that's already full.
It's just gonna overflow.
Exactly.
And this reminds me of what the Washington Post said
about the flooding and the appellations after Hulene.
All that rain just had nowhere to go.
Right, and they made a good point about how the terrain
and the appellations made the flooding worse.
Because all those mountains and valleys basically channeled
the water into the valleys, right?
Exactly.
Now Florida is obviously much flatter.
So the water won't necessarily flow as fast,
but it will spread out more.
Exactly, it's a different type of flooding,
but it can be just as destructive.
So maybe less flash flooding
and more of a slow and steady inundation.
Precisely.
And considering how much rain Hulene dumped on the state,
even a smaller amount of rain from Milton
could cause serious problems.
It's all about the timing
and the fact that the ground is already so saturated.
Exactly.
And it's why it's so important
to take those evacuation orders seriously if they're issued.
Even if you think your home can handle the wind
and rain flooding can quickly turn a bad situation
into a life-threatening one.
Absolutely.
It's always better to be safe than sorry,
especially when it comes to hurricanes.
Couldn't agree more.
Okay, so we've covered the potential
for some major flooding,
the rapid development of the storm
and the possibility of it
taking on some Nor'easter characteristics.
Anything else we need to know about Milton?
Well, we've talked a lot about the potential dangers,
but I'm always fascinated by the science
behind these storms.
They're so powerful and destructive,
yet there's a strange beauty to them too.
I know what you mean.
It's like this weird mix of awe and terror
that I don't think I'll ever get used to.
So yeah, what else have we learned about Milton?
Well, we've covered a lot of ground here, haven't we?
This tropical storm Milton
is shaping up to be quite the event.
That's for sure.
From rapid intensification to potential major flooding,
and don't even get me started on that Nor'easter curveball.
It's like a Hurricane Greatest Hits album,
but not in a good way.
Definitely not.
So let's cut to the chase here for our listeners.
What can people do right now
to prepare for whatever Milton throws their way?
That's the million dollar question.
And unfortunately, there's no one size fix all answer.
It really depends on your individual circumstances.
Okay, so let's break it down.
What are some of the universal truths here?
The things that everyone should be doing
regardless of where they are
or what the latest forecast says.
I'd say the most important thing is to stay informed.
You mean don't just check the forecast once
and call it a day?
Exactly.
Hurricanes are constantly evolving
so it's crucial to stay up to date
on the latest developments.
So check those weather apps regularly.
Precisely.
And make sure you're getting your information
from reliable sources like the National Hurricane Center
and your local news outlets.
Don't just trust that random Facebook post
your uncle shared.
Exactly.
Stick to the experts.
And speaking of experts,
let's talk about those hurricane preparedness kits.
Remember those.
Oh yeah, the trustee hurricane kit.
Always a good idea to have one of those on hand.
More than just a good idea, it's essential.
And I'm not just talking about stocking up on snacks,
although having plenty of snacks is never a bad thing.
Snacks are crucial for morale during a hurricane.
Absolutely.
But we're also talking about things like water batteries,
flashlights, first aid kits, all that good stuff.
And don't forget those important documents.
Oh yeah, that's a good one.
Keep all those important papers together
in a waterproof container, just in case.
Better safe than sorry.
Exactly.
And hey, speaking of being prepared,
let's talk about those evacuation zones.
Ah yes, evacuation zones.
Those always make things feel a little more real.
They do, and for good reason.
If you're in an evacuation zone,
it means you're in a vulnerable area
and you need to be prepared to leave
if an evacuation order is issued.
And it's important to remember
that even if you're not in an evacuation zone,
it's still a good idea to have a plan.
Absolutely.
Know where you would go
and how you would get there if you had to evacuate.
It's always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.
Couldn't agree more.
Yeah.
Now we've talked a lot about the physical preparations,
but what about the mental and emotional side of things?
Hurricanes can be stressful even when you're prepared.
That's so true.
And it's something we often overlooked.
It's important to take care of your mental health
during hurricane season.
Check in on your friends and family practice self-care,
and don't be afraid to seek professional help
if you need it.
It's okay to not be okay during a hurricane.
And there's no shame in reaching out for help.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
So yeah, take care of your mental health,
stay informed, be prepared,
and hopefully Milton will decide to take it easy on us.
Here's hoping.
But no matter what happens,
we'll be here to keep you informed
and help you make sense of it all.
That's right.
We're all in this together.
Exactly.
So until next time, stay safe out there, everyone.