Hurricane Milton Approaches Florida: Another Weather Challenge

Hurricane Milton: Florida Braces for Impact

A week ago, we alerted shippers about Hurricane Helene. Now, we face another serious threat: Hurricane Milton, which has rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm. Milton is heading straight for Florida, just as the state is still recovering from the significant damage caused by Helene's Category 4 winds and rains.

As the ninth hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June through November, Milton is particularly concerning. Remarkably, it is the fifth hurricane to form since September 25, underscoring the unusually common adverse weather experienced this season. Florida must prepare once again for the impacts of a powerful hurricane, adding to the challenges of recovery from these other storms.

Operational Adjustments for Carriers

LTL Carriers in the affected areas are adjusting their operations. Many LTL terminals, especially those in the greater Asheville and Hickory regions of North Carolina, are operating on a limited basis as they recover from Helene. In Dothan, Alabama, carriers have pulled drivers off the roads and are also limiting their operations to local deliveries only.

Some LTL carriers are halting hub & linehaul operations in and out of Florida, focusing primarily on local deliveries.

Most terminals in Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, and Ocala are closed, as are many around the Pensacola region. Some carriers with limited operations have issued "Hurricane Watch" warnings, but they also advise delays due to the storm. LTL carriers that are operating with limited capacity are not meeting their linehaul schedules, which means that linehaul and hub operations are mostly down, preventing freight from moving in and out of the state. The limited operations are focused on local deliveries, and carriers are purging freight out of the system where possible. This is a highly challenging situation, so we urge you to stay informed by contacting TLI and utilizing the TMS system to stay ahead of the ongoing disruptions.

In Montgomery, limited operations continue, but pickups and deliveries south of the city have stopped. Departure times and routes will adjust based on weather conditions. Linehaul operations along Interstate 10 are expected to face delays due to Hurricane Milton.

Here are the areas experiencing disruptions with multiple LTL carriers reporting limited operations:

• Jacksonville, FL
• Tampa, FL
• Savannah, GA
• Hickory, NC
• Wilson, NC
• Greeneville, TN
• Pulaski, VA
• Vidalia, GA
• Augusta, GA

What is the estimated impact of Hurricane Milton on TX?

Texas will likely see minimal impact from Hurricane Milton. Historically, only six hurricanes have made landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast in this month over the past 174 years. The storm's counterclockwise rotation will draw in drier air from the northeast, and an approaching cold front will push away any Gulf moisture from Southeast Texas.

Milton's Rapid Intensification

Hurricane Milton reached Category 5 on Monday morning. The National Hurricane Center reports maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. The storm underwent "remarkable" rapid intensification. It quickly escalated from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just hours.

Forecasters had anticipated this rapid strengthening. They predicted Milton would reach winds of 165 mph within 12 hours before gradually weakening. The National Hurricane Center notes that they have only seen such rapid strengthening in storms like Wilma in 2005 and Felix in 2007. As of midday Monday, Milton was about 125 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and about 735 miles west-southwest of Tampa. It is currently moving east at the slow speed of 9 mph. Milton will pass just north of the Yucatan Peninsula before crossing the eastern Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to approach Florida’s west coast by Wednesday morning.

Rainfall and Storm Surge Risks

The storm may weaken slightly before landfall, but it will still be a major hurricane. Historical storms, like Katrina in 2005, weakened before making landfall. Milton, like Katrina, pushes a massive wall of water ahead of its arrival. Parts of Florida could see 5 to 10 inches of rain, with localized totals reaching up to 15 inches. There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds along Florida’s west coast. Forecasters warn water levels could rise 8 to 12 feet in coastal areas, including Tampa Bay.

Florida Emergency Management has already urged Tampa Bay residents to follow evacuation orders. They emphasize that evacuations may not require long trips out of the state. Rather, residents can often find higher elevations or wind-proof shelters just a few miles away. A growing number of counties have however ordered evacuations already. These forced evacuations are largely rooted around RV equipment along with healthcare facilities within Charlotte, Manatee, Pasco, Hillsborough, Sarasota, and Pinellas Counties.

TLI remains committed to keeping shippers informed during this critical time. We will continue to provide regular updates as Hurricane Milton progresses, monitoring its impact on motor carrier operations. While we hope for minimal disruption caused by the storm, we encourage all shippers to stay prepared and proactive in their load planning. Your safety and operational continuity are our top priorities, and we will do everything we can to support you through this adverse weather.

If you have an urgent load or a significant concern regarding your shipments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to TLI. We understand that timely deliveries are critical, especially during unpredictable weather events. Let us know if you would like us to obtain expedited quotes for you. Our operations team is here to assist you in navigating any challenges and ensuring your logistics needs are met efficiently, even in these trying circumstances.