As Floridians prepare for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Milton, the impact of Hurricane Helene, which struck less than two weeks ago, is still very much felt across the state. With Milton now classified as a dangerous Category 5 hurricane by the National Weather Service, fears are rising as the storm is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast by midweek. Federal officials have termed this hurricane the third most powerful in U.S. history.

The upcoming storm is predicted to bring as much as 15 inches of rain to certain areas, with life-threatening storm surges expected to reach 12 feet in places like Tampa, where Hurricane Helene tragically led to a dozen fatalities. Authorities are urging millions of Floridians to evacuate, with several counties, including Hillsborough, issuing mandatory evacuation orders and others offering voluntary advisories.

The state is still dealing with debris from Hurricane Helene, including broken appliances and damaged furniture. In an interview with WJXT television station in Jacksonville, Clay County’s emergency management director, Tim Devin, stressed the importance of securing loose debris to prevent it from turning into dangerous projectiles in Milton’s strong winds. “We’re doing our best to pick it up, but if you see piles of debris that could become a projectile, please secure them against a tree or behind a fence,” he advised.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has activated state emergency management and transportation divisions to assist with debris removal efforts. Around 4,000 National Guard troops are also being deployed for support, and a base camp has been set up at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg to streamline operations.

The overlapping nature of these storms is likely to put significant pressure on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has already dispatched over 1,500 personnel to aid in the recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. Keith Turi, FEMA’s acting associate administrator for response and recovery, reassured the public that the agency has ample resources to address both hurricanes, despite worries regarding funding. He highlighted that recent replenishments of the disaster recovery fund by Congress should adequately meet the immediate needs arising from Helene, which economic analysts predict could cost upwards of $34 billion.

However, officials have cautioned that FEMA’s long-term disaster recovery funding is becoming strained. The arrival of Hurricane Milton could exacerbate these financial difficulties. With Congress currently in recess, President Joe Biden has indicated his readiness to call lawmakers back together to discuss potential additional funding if necessary.

Experts are warning that consecutive storms can overwhelm local governments and aid organizations, complicating recovery efforts. “There are limited resources in any area to handle trash removal, utility repairs, and restoring services,” explained disaster expert Sarah Labowitz from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “When another storm strikes, the number of people needing assistance skyrockets, complicating recovery operations.”

Insurance costs are another growing concern, as estimates suggest that losses from Hurricane Helene may hit $47.5 billion. The pressure from multiple storms could further strain already beleaguered insurance markets faced with climate-related claims. Rachel Cleetus, climate and energy policy director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, warned that these back-to-back disasters could severely impact local economies and healthcare systems, potentially leading to increased mortality rates in the years to come.

The trend of consecutive hurricanes is anticipated to persist as climate change progresses, with some scientists predicting such events could occur every three years in specific regions, particularly along the Gulf Coast. Historical incidents, like Louisiana experiencing Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in 2008 and the rapid succession of Hurricane Rita following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, underscore the persistent nature of this challenge.

Having faced similar challenges in her own community, Labowitz highlighted the profound psychological burden of enduring multiple disasters within a short time span. “That kind of back-to-back disaster compounds every aspect of recovery,” she noted, stressing the pressure it puts on local resources and community resilience.

To better prepare for these future challenges, experts like Cleetus advocate for stronger disaster preparedness initiatives, enhanced forecasting abilities, and increased funding for climate resilience. For now, Turi emphasized that ensuring safety and minimizing loss of life is the foremost priority. “We can rebuild and repair, but our focus right now is to keep people safe in the days leading up to the storm,” he concluded.