Why Storm Surge Won't Be Categorized for Hurricane Milton.

Hurricane Milton, a powerful storm approaching the Florida coast, has posed challenges for forecasters due to the difficulty in categorizing the storm surge that is expected to cause flooding in coastal areas. Storm surge, which is responsible for 11% of hurricane-related deaths, was previously included in the Saffir-Simpson scale used to describe hurricane winds but was removed in 2009. Instead, forecasters now use color-coded maps and targeted warnings to inform specific communities about the amount of water they can expect from storms, resulting in more precise evacuation orders. However, this new system has also made it more complex for people to assess their risk and has required time to educate and build trust in the new techniques. Hurricane Milton is expected to bring significant damage from its surge and heavy rains rather than its winds. [Extracted from the article]