Ports restrict navigation, some oil facilities shut as Milton approaches Florida

Source: Reuters

October 7, 2024 5:08 PM EDT Updated 11 hours ago


HOUSTON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - At least one oil and gas platform in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico was shut on Monday and Florida ports imposed restrictions on vessel navigation as Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified.

Most energy infrastructure on the U.S. Gulf Coast, including oil and gas production facilities, liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants and refineries, is expected to be out of the storm path, but the closure of terminals could temporarily disrupt exports and imports. Florida was the sixth largest state exporter of goods last year, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Meteorologists forecast 10 to 15 feet (3.05 to 4.57 meters)of storm surge, 140 miles per hour (mph) wind gusts and say more than 2 feet of rain is possible along the Florida Gulf Coast in the area Milton makes landfall, probably near Tampa. "Milton is a potentially catastrophic Category-5 hurricane," the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Monday.

Some weakening is anticipated before Milton reaches the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by Wednesday, but it is forecast to remain "an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall," the NHC added.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ports-restrict-navigation-some-oil-facilities-shut-milton-approaches-florida-2024-10-07/