HURRICANE MILTON: Milton to be one of the strongest hurricanes on record 

Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified into one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, currently classified as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 180 mph. The National Hurricane Center has warned that this storm poses an “extremely serious threat” to Florida, where it is expected to make landfall later this week. With a central pressure nearing record lows, Milton’s rapid intensification has been driven by unusually high sea surface temperatures and moisture in the atmosphere, conditions exacerbated by climate change.

Historically, only a few hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico have reached this level of intensity, with Milton being compared to infamous storms like Hurricane Allen (1980) and Hurricane Rita (2005). The storm surge in affected areas could reach up to 15 feet, adding to the destructive potential.

The storm has triggered widespread evacuations, closures, and preparations across Florida, and NASA has postponed the return of its Crew-8 mission due to the threat posed by Milton. It follows closely on the heels of Hurricane Helene, making it the second major storm to strike the southeastern U.S. in recent weeks​