Hurricane Milton was feared to be so powerful that it could forever change Florida’s coastline

Experts have warned that Hurricane Milton is expected to be so severe that it will cover almost every beach on Florida’s west coast – and forever change the Sunshine State’s coastline.

At least 95% of Florida’s west coast beaches are projected to be submerged – or permanently covered by ocean water – when the storm, which is predicted to be one of the most powerful ever, makes landfall on Wednesday. There is a possibility of landslides as many people are still recovering from Helen, US. Geological Survey

“This is the most severe level of coastal alteration,” the federal agency warned — adding that “Milton’s waves and surge” could cause “erosion and overtopping” on 100% of the state’s beaches.

“The importance of forecasting coastal changes for the impact of Milton on Florida’s west coast cannot be underestimated,” said USGS scientist Cara Doran.

The damage is even worse because “communities are more vulnerable to the impacts of this storm due to recent erosion from Helen.” Doran insisted.

The expert said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration photos taken after Helene showed that Florida’s west coast had already experienced “extreme flooding or flooding and complete erosion of those dunes,” meaning that typically Protective sand banks along the coastline no longer exist in many places.

USGS experts have predicted a “severe” level of coastal change that could cause flooding behind the sand dunes and endanger coastal communities.

While the USGS forecast is a “worst-case scenario,” the agency wrote, the National Hurricane Center also warned that Milton could bring life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall, especially to the Tampa Bay area.

During an overnight update on Wednesday, the center said Milton was a “catastrophic Category 5” hurricane that was expected to make landfall later that night.

The storm was 300 miles southwest of Tampa early Wednesday and was packing winds of up to 160 mph, the center said.

According to the USGS, Hurricane Milton joins a long list of devastating storms that have altered the Florida coastline, including Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Michael.