At first, it appears to be a bumpy, but stable ride. Then, a major jolt
A video shows the moment an aircraft collides with Milton as it collects data from the hurricane, which is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
“Can you grab my phone real quick?” asks the crew member filming the video.
“Damn,” he says, as he shows the back of the plane, with loose items strewn laying on the floor.
Another crew member eventually passes his phone back to him, as the aircraft steadies.
“NOAA’s WP-3D Orions are equipped with a unique array of scientific instrumentation, radars and recording systems for measurements of the atmosphere, the earth and its environment,” per NOAA.
The data collected from such flights “helps improve forecasts and support hurricane research.”
The hurricane is expected to make landfall in the Gulf Coast of Florida late Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said in a post on X. In an update on Wednesday morning, the centre urged residents to “ensure you are in your safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.”
Evacuations should be “rushed to completion” as of Wednesday morning, per the centre. Preparations should be made to protect life and property, the centre said, as well as for lengthy power outages.
Milton is threatening the Tampa Bay area, which is home to more than 3.3 million people and has managed to evade a direct hit from a major hurricane for more than 100 years. Milton is also menacing other stretches of Florida’s west coast that were battered when Helene came ashore on Sept. 26.
With additional reporting by the Associated Press
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