With reverse storm surge, especially in larger storms, the opposite happens, explained AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok in 2022, after Ian hit. “It can pull the water out because the wind flow is coming from land to ocean, and it pushes the water,” he said. “The power of the wind is incredible.”

Two weeks ago, Hurricane Helene “spared” the Tampa Bay region a direct hit and yet storm surge still caused catastrophic damage, flooding homes, drowning people who decided to stay near the coast and leaving massive piles of debris that still sit along roadsides.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday that it's clear that Florida is going to be hit hard by Milton — “I don't think there's any scenario where we don't have major impacts at this point.” The post Hurricane Milton is growing stronger as it blows toward Florida’s Tampa Bay region appeared first on Boston.