Milton is shaping up to be a monster of a storm, expected to strike Florida as a Category 3 hurricane, just weeks after Hurricane Helene hit the region. Landfall is projected south of Tampa Bay, with Sarasota at the epicenter.
North Battleford resident Marilyn Nykiforuk is currently in Sarasota, and despite evacuation orders, she plans to weather the storm.
“I’m lucky where I’m at. I have good hurricane shutters up around the house. I’m hoping I don’t get floodwaters—I’m far enough from the bay,” Nykiforuk said.
According to Bob Robichaud, a meteorologist with the Canadian Hurricane Centre, the primary concern with Hurricane Milton is the storm surge.
“One of the deadliest things is the storm surge. So people remaining along the coastline, if there are any—and we are getting reports that there are some—are looking at a 10-12 foot storm surge,” Robichaud explained.