US braces for another storm as tropical storm Milton threatens Florida's west coast

As America is still recovering from the destruction brought by Hurricane Helene , another tropical storm ‘Milton’ has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, reported CBS News.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) also released a statement warning that Milton could bring significant storm surge and heavy rainfall , particularly to areas still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Debby. FEMA has already stationed hundreds of staff in Florida to assist with recovery efforts and prepare for Milton’s potential impact.

It is forecasted to intensify rapidly, with projections showing it could strengthen into a major hurricane by Sunday night, according to the National Hurricane Center . The storm is expected to move toward Florida’s west coast by the middle of next week, prompting emergency preparations across the region.

Milton is currently centred 365 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and 860 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. As of late Saturday night, it was moving north-northeast at 5 mph. The storm is expected to undergo rapid intensification as it travels across the Gulf, potentially becoming a major hurricane — defined as a Category 3 or higher, with winds exceeding 111 mph.

The forecast comes just over a week after the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm, killing at least 229 people across six states. Florida’s Big Bend area was particularly hard hit, and recovery efforts are still underway, with thousands of people without power and essential services.

President Biden, after touring the area, described the rebuilding efforts as "costing billions of dollars" with many communities still reeling from the destruction.

In response to the threat posed by Milton, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 35 counties on Saturday, stressing the importance of being prepared for the potential landfall. DeSantis assured residents that the state is “staging assets to prepare for efficient search and rescue, power restoration, and roadway clearing.”

Heavy rain is expected in Florida starting Sunday into Monday, with the storm’s heaviest winds and rainfall projected to arrive midweek. The National Hurricane Center has predicted rainfall totals of 5 to 12 inches across the Florida Peninsula and Florida Keys, raising concerns about flooding . Hurricane and storm surge watches will likely be issued for parts of Florida as early as Sunday.

Residents in affected areas are urged to finalise their hurricane preparedness plans and monitor updates from local officials and the National Hurricane Center.