Warning: One hurricane can hide another. Already hard hit by storm Helene which ran aground ten days ago in Florida and Mexico, the southeast of the United States is preparing to receive Hurricane Milton, the ninth tropical cyclone of the year.
While in the streets there is still disorder, debris and sorrow left in its wake by Hélène who killed more than 60 people in the United States, residents are evacuating the area and the zoos, and trying to organize collectively to consolidate their homes and businesses.
Hurricane Milton strengthened considerably as it passed over the warm waters of the Yucatán Peninsula, briefly reaching Category 5, with winds exceeding 250 km/h, before being downgraded to Category 4 this year. Tuesday (winds 210 to 250 km/h).
In Saint Petersburg, Florida, thousands of motorists are trying to flee the city as Hurricane Milton approaches, generating massive traffic jams. — S. Platt / Getty Images via AFP
Those who remain are focused on cleaning up the damage left behind by Cyclone Helene before Milton’s expected arrival this Wednesday. To deal with the situation, the governor of Florida declared a state of emergency this Saturday. — R. Smith / AFP
Local authorities addressed the population and the press to detail the progress of preparation operations for the passage of the hurricane. — D. Decker/ZUMA Press Wire/Shut
Across the border in Mexico, some tourists continue to enjoy the beaches like here in Cancun, despite the red flag warning of dangerous seas. — E. Ruiz / AFP
Many tourists have obviously not canceled their stays and continue to flock to Cancún, like here when getting off a ferry this Monday, October 7. — E. Ruiz / AFP
A Mexican statue of Poseidon, Greek god of the sea and oceans, is also preparing to receive the fury of the elements. — M. Zetina/AP/SIPA
Cover, reinforce, cover and protect: In Mexico, residents are organizing to try to minimize damage. — E. Ruiz / AFP
Mexican fishing and tourist boats have returned to the beaches in the hope that the sea and the wind will not carry them away. — H. Borges / AFP
Volunteers from the city of Miami, Florida, some of whom obviously do not want to appear in the image with their faces uncovered, prepare sandbags to create makeshift sea walls to protect buildings and infrastructure. — G. Viera / AFP
Bags are also distributed “on drive” to residents so that they can try to protect themselves as best as possible. — R. Silva / NurPhoto via AFP
The animals also sense the arrival of the storm. In this Florida zoo, a mother orangutan and her child are preparing to be evacuated. — R. Smith / AFP
This African porcupine from Florida’s Tampa Zoo is being caged for transport to a safe location. — R. Smith / AFP
The traces of Helene’s passage have not yet been erased this Monday, October 7, while Florida is preparing for the arrival of Cyclone Milton this Wednesday. — R. Smlith / AFP
In Saint-Petersburg, Florida, the shelves of bottled water were preemptively robbed by residents. — S. Platt / Getty Images via AFP
Satellite view of Hurricane Milton, photographed this Sunday over the Gulf of Mexico. — NOAA/AFP
Latest prevention message in Florida: “Escape plan: 1. Grab a beer. 2. Run away like never before.” — R. Smith / AFP
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