“Let’s focus in on the Tampa Bay area where we could see a record setting surge over nine feet,” Abrams tells The Weather Channel viewers.
“We can use this simulation to show you what it will look like in Tampa. At three feet above dry ground, water is already life threatening. It is too late to evacuate. Water this high can knock you off your feet, make cars float and make driving impossible.
“The first floor of homes and businesses are flooded. Unfortunately the water is expected to rise even higher to six feet, above the height of most people. Vehicles get carried away, structures start to fail, just look at this.
“Anything could be in this water – sharp glass, debris, chemicals. Some areas could then see surge values at 10 to 15 feet.”
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring a destructive storm surge to Florida’s west coast. @StephanieAbrams uses our FloodFX simulation technology to show you what that could look like ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rg996zNHy2
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 8, 2024
Abrams continues: “This takes us up to nine feet and look what it does. At this level, the first floor of structures are completely flooded and there are few places where it is safe when water rises this high.
“We want everyone to know their evacuation zone, listen to local officials, and evacuate when ordered to do so.
“This is not just a calm water, you’ll going to have waves and even white caps on the water inland.”
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