Hurricane Milton: A Catastrophic Force Looms Over Tampa Bay
In a breathtaking perspective from the cosmos, NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick has shared a timelapse video of Hurricane Milton, a storm that threatens to unleash unprecedented destruction upon Tampa Bay, Florida. Captured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Endeavour, currently docked at the International Space Station (ISS), the storm’s intensity is visible even from space.
Dominick and fellow NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos’ Alexander Grebenkin embarked on their space mission in March. However, their return to Earth, originally scheduled for October 7, has been delayed due to the hurricane’s path. The capsule is set to undock on October 13 as Milton churns through the Gulf of Mexico.
Delays in Space Missions Due to Milton
The impending storm has also delayed the Europa Clipper mission, with its launch from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center postponed.
A historic threat to Tampa
Experts warn that Hurricane Milton is poised to be the most powerful hurricane to strike Tampa in nearly a century. Initially downgraded to a Category 4, it has regained its Category 5 status. The storm is expected to make landfall near Tampa and St. Petersburg late Wednesday.
Local authorities have issued evacuation orders, urging residents to flee the region. Tampa Bay Mayor Jane Castor emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “If you choose to stay … you are going to die.”
Comparing Milton to past storms, Castor declared it “literally catastrophic,” surpassing even the infamous Hurricane Helene.
Presidential urgency and scientific warnings
President Joe Biden has urged citizens to evacuate immediately, stating, “You should have already evacuated. It’s a matter of life and death, and that’s not hyperbole.”
The storm’s ferocity has left meteorologists in awe. Orlando meteorologist Noah Bergen described Milton’s compact eye and intensity, stating, “This is now the 4th strongest hurricane ever recorded by pressure on this side of the world.”
Scientist Michael E. Mann speculated that “#Milton might have breached the 192 mph ‘cat 6’ cutoff,” highlighting the storm’s extraordinary power.
As Hurricane Milton approaches, its impact is anticipated to be unlike anything Tampa Bay has witnessed in living memory.