US weather forecast: America is facing another imminent 'major hurricane threat' with 'high risk to life'

The storm, as with Helene which tore across Florida and North Carolina last week, will feed off unusually warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

It will arrive similarly loaded with ‘spin-off’ tornadoes and the power to whip up a catastrophic sea surge.

AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said: “People in cities that are still reeling from the record storm surge produced by Hurricane Helene will once again face a significant risk for storm surge flooding and coastal inundation, flooding rainfall, damaging wind gusts and lengthy power outages.

“The potential for rapid intensification is certainly a risk that our meteorologists are monitoring very closely.

“Milton is organising and moving through a zone that is very conducive for strengthening through the rest of the weekend and into early next week.”

A separate storm has over the past few days has triggered flooding, with Milton threatening to worsen the chaos.

People are urged to prepare for a ‘life-threatening sea surge’, like that launched by Helene.

AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter said: “This is an unusual and extremely concerning forecast rack for a hurricane approaching the Tampa Bay area.

“Milton could rapidly intensify into a major hurricane with extreme impacts.

“This hurricane could create a life-threatening storm surge, so make sure that your family and friends in this area are prepared.”

Buckingham added: “Prior to the expected landfall on Wednesday, tropical downpours will impact the Florida Peninsula through this week, increasing the risk of flooding.

“The expected downpours can result in hurricane preparations being delayed, especially if the rain is heavy enough to flood area roadways.”

Hurricane Helene has been dubbed the ‘worst hurricane since Katrina’ with the cost of the clean-up put between 225 and 250 dollars.

The storm destroyed homes and left swaths of Florida and North Carolina under feet of swirling flood water, killing an estimated 200 people.

Milton will hit regions already devastated by the assault, driven by warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Jim Dale, US meteorologist for British Weather Services and co-author of ‘Surviving Extreme Weather’ said: “The size of the area hit by Helene is huge, and they have been absolutely devastated, being left with no electricity, water, medical supplies or phone signal.

“So, the next hurricane is hitting what has been turned into a third-world province within a state, and it is very likely that the death toll will rise as a result.”

As with Helene, Milton spawned off the east coast of America rather than the east Atlantic – the birthplace of most hurricanes.

Such home-grown storms are becoming more frequent due to above-average temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico.

Dale said: “Sea temperatures are well above average, and we are seeing more of these storms generate close to the US coast.”

Hundreds of people remain missing after Helene struck in what is thought to be the worst assault since Katrina in 2005 killed more than 1,800 people.