With many areas of Florida still reeling from Hurricane Helene, Florida is now bracing for a double impact, with Hurricane Milton expected to make landfall as at least a Category 3 storm on Wednesday. Milton, which has rapidly intensified, threatens to hit Tampa and other areas in Florida and the southeastern United States less than two weeks following Helene’s landfall, compounding the risk of catastrophic damage.
Mass evacuations and storm surge warnings watches are in place throughout much of Florida’s west coast with storm surges of 8 to 12 feet and 5 to 10 inches of rain predicted.
The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings about “life-threatening,” devastating,” and “destructive” storm surges along both the Yucatan and Florida peninsulas. With two major hurricanes threatening the same area, the potential for devastating flooding, high winds, and long-term destruction is significant.
State-issued alerts to residents have warned the impact of Milton could be “devastating to catastrophic.” The National Hurricane Center has advised all local preparations to be completed by tomorrow night, as the storm is expected to arrive early on Wednesday. Tampa International Airport will be closed starting at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Direct Relief’s Response
As Direct Relief continues to respond to Hurricane Helene’s impacts across multiple states, the organization is coordinating with local, state, and national organizations to address the growing medical needs expected from Milton’s impact.
Direct Relief currently has staff in Florida and continues to work closely with the Florida Association of Community Health Centers and the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to ensure essential medical supplies reach health organizations serving vulnerable populations.
Ahead of hurricane season, Direct Relief pre-positions emergency medical supplies in storm-prone areas across the U.S. Gulf Coast and the Caribbean. These preparedness packs are critical for sustaining health services during and after hurricanes. Many clinics in Helene and Milton’s projected paths are already equipped with these emergency modules.
Direct Relief maintains an extensive inventory of essential medicines to support people with chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, who may lose access to their medications due to evacuations or storm damage. Additionally, field medic packs, personal protective equipment, and vaccines like tetanus will be made available for those involved in post-storm recovery and debris cleanup.
Direct Relief will respond to needs as they become known, with a mission of providing the most vulnerable communities with critical aid in the storm’s aftermath.
