Florida Climate Center Reports on Hurricane Milton’s Impacts in Southwest Florida
Hurricane Milton brought significant storm surges to Southwest Florida, with peaks exceeding Hurricane Helene but not reaching Hurricane Ian’s record. The storm prompted a record number of tornado warnings across the state, highlighting its severe weather impact.
Following the recent impact of Hurricane Milton, the Florida Climate Center provided an assessment of the storm’s effects across Southwest Florida. According to Emily Powell, the assistant state climatologist, it appears that many areas escaped severe damage, particularly as the more intense weather conditions were observed to the north in the St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Sarasota regions. In Collier and Lee counties, the coastal tide gauge readings indicated significant flooding, with peak surges notably exceeding those recorded during Hurricane Helene. Specifically, surge levels reached 5.08 feet in Naples—surpassing Helene’s peak of 4.02 feet—and 5.26 feet in Fort Myers, which previously recorded a peak of 5.12 feet from Helene; however, it remains far below the 7.26 feet surge that was documented during Hurricane Ian in 2022. Powell highlighted that the surge levels from Milton, Helene, and Ian now account for the top three storm surge events in Fort Myers over the past two years. Moreover, unusual high water levels were recorded in southern Collier County, particularly near Marco Island, where flooding reached an impressive 28.52 feet. On another note, the storm generated an unprecedented amount of tornado warnings across Florida; Powell reported a total of 126 warnings statewide, which far exceeded the previous record set during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Specifically, Collier and Lee counties experienced four tornado warnings. Powell noted that this record figure also places Florida second in terms of single-day tornado warnings, trailing only a 2011 tornado outbreak in Alabama. The News-Press continues to seek additional weather data from the National Weather Service in Tampa, including variables such as wind gusts and rainfall amounts.
Hurricane Milton has recently affected Southwest Florida, prompting a detailed analysis by the Florida Climate Center to assess its impact. Hurricane-related storm surges and tornado warnings have raised significant concern among residents and meteorologists alike. Understanding peak surge levels in relation to previous storms such as Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Ian is crucial for public safety and preparedness in the region.
In summary, Hurricane Milton generated notable storm surge levels in Southwest Florida, particularly surpassing those from Hurricane Helene but falling short of the historic surge recorded during Hurricane Ian. Additionally, the storm was marked by an exceptional number of tornado warnings, indicating heightened severe weather activity across Florida. The ongoing collection of detailed data will further inform the community about the storm’s impacts and enhance future preparedness measures.
Original Source: www.news-press.com
