Hurricane Milton expected to be so powerful, it could forever change Florida’s coastline

SUMMARY

Hurricane Milton is poised to be one of the most powerful storms in history, threatening to inundate nearly every beach along Florida’s west coast. Experts warn that up to 95% of these beaches could be continuously covered by ocean water, resulting in significant and possibly permanent coastal changes. The U.S. Geological Survey has issued dire predictions, stating that Milton’s waves and storm surge could cause “erosion and overwash” to all of Florida's beaches. USGS scientist Kara Doran emphasized the catastrophic potential of Milton, particularly as many communities are still vulnerable from recent damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene. Rainfall estimates for areas like Tampa and Daytona Beach could reach up to 18 inches. As Milton strengthens, the National Hurricane Center continues to monitor its track, predicting it will make landfall as a "Catastrophic Category 5" storm. With already widespread power outages reported in Tampa and Orlando, residents face a dire situation.