'I'm lucky where I'm at': Sask. woman intends to stay in Sarasota amid destructive Hurricane Milton
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 — a rise in sea levels resulting from the atmospheric pressure changes and winds from a major storm.
"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 to 12 foot storm surge," Robichaud said.
Windy and rainy conditions on a deserted street in downtown Tampa, Fla., during the approach of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Despite her preparations, Nykiforuk admits to feeling uneasy.
"Right now, I really feel stressed, in anticipation of something that's going to come. Then the sounds of the wind, the howling, the roar," she said.
With winds nearing 200 kilometers per hour, the storm is expected to bring significant destruction.
"They're already getting rain, already getting wind, and conditions are just going to deteriorate up until landfall. If the eye of the storm actually goes right over Sarasota, which is quite possible, there'll be a little bit of a lull," Robichaud added.
CTV will check in with Marilyn once the worst of the storm has passed. Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall south of Tampa Bay at 11:00 p.m. EST.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested on gun charges in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
What makes walking so great for your health and what else you need to do
Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.
U.S. Congress hosts second round of UFO hearings
The U.S. government held another UFO hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the second such hearing in 16 months. This hearing was billed as an attempt by congress to provide a better understanding of what is known about previous sightings of UFOs, also known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
Spy service officer denies threatening Montreal man who was later imprisoned in Sudan
A Canadian Security Intelligence Service official has denied threatening a Montreal man who was later imprisoned and allegedly tortured by authorities in Sudan.
Dave Coulier, 'Full House' star, has cancer
Dave Coulier, an actor and comedian who found fame as Uncle Joey on "Full House," has revealed he has been diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a blood cancer.
Donald Trump picks Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.
Canada bracing for 'tough' talks as Trump's pick calls northern border an 'extreme vulnerability'
The Canadian government is aware it's likely in for 'tough conversations' with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's administration, after his border czar said there is 'an extreme national security vulnerability' he intends to tackle at the Canada-U.S. border.