Is it safe to be outside in Hurricane Milton’s eye? Here’s what experts say

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, some may be curious to experience what the eye of a hurricane is like.

The eyes of hurricanes usually provide a period of calm amid life-threatening winds and rain conditions, which sometimes tricks people into thinking the storm has passed. However, this does not mean you are safe if you step into the eye.

“First of all, you don’t know, when you walk out, you don’t know what you’re gonna encounter, right?” Eric Stone, a meteorologist with Nexstar’s WFLA said. “There could be power lines down. There could be debris right in the way.”

In addition to land hazards, the threat of the storm could quickly come back as the eye leaves the area, putting you in the middle of the strongest parts of the hurricane.

“If you lose power, which you probably will, you don’t know how long that eye is gonna be over top of you,” Stone said.

According to Kanner & Pintagula, an injury law firm that works on hurricane damage cases, those who were already sheltering in place must stay inside during the eye.

“In literal seconds you can pass from the relative calm of the eye into the 150-mph winds of the wall (depending on the strength of the storm),” the firm said.

The WFLA Hurricane Guide suggests that if you do not evacuate, ensure that your windows are protected and fill containers for drinking water. Bathtubs can also be used for storing clean water.

As of late Tuesday morning, Hurricane Milton is a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. It is expected to remain an “extremely powerful” hurricane through landfall.