Hurricane Milton is about to hit Florida and could be the worst storm the state has seen in 100 years. Here's what you need to know about its strength, path, and potential impact on the supply chain.
Good morning. Hurricane Milton could be the most destructive hurricane to Florida in the last 100 years. Here's what you need to know about its strength, path, and potential impact on the supply chain.
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Experts revealed a staggering ____% rise in strategic cargo theft since Q1 2022. Find out in our Around the Freight Web section.
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Vehicles drive east on Interstate 75 from Florida's west coast, ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, on October 8, 2024. Image Source: Marco Bello/Reuters
What’s Happening
Hurricane Milton is about to hit Florida and could be the worst storm the state has seen in 100 years.
Currently a Category 5 storm with winds of 160 mph, it's expected to make landfall near Tampa by Wednesday night. The storm could weaken to a Category 3 or 4, but it’s still a major threat to both residents and supply chains.
Where Will It Hit?
Tracking the storm is key, as projections can change quickly your level of risk can shift on a moment's notice. Image Source: Tim Higham/LinkedIn
Milton's path is shifting, but it’s likely to hit just south of Tampa. A storm surge of 10-15 feet and up to 1.5 feet of rain are expected.
Tim Higham, CEO of AscendTMS, who is based out of the Tampa region wrote on LinkedIn:
If you're on the left of Hurricane Milton - you live and have a home. On the right, you DIE and you lose everything. THIS, my friends, is why we're all biting our nails on the West Coast of Florida. Every wobble matters!
Tampa’s Mayor has warned people in evacuation zones to leave immediately:
"If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die."
The storm is also growing in size, so even areas far from the center will feel its impact. Evacuations are already underway, and major highways like I-4 are expected to be affected.
How It Could Disrupt the Supply Chain
Milton could create major disruptions in Florida’s supply chain, particularly along the I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando—a key route for goods.
Port of Tampa Closed: This port handles imports like fuel, steel, and food. Its closure will cause delays, and congestion at other Gulf and East Coast ports is likely.
Trucking and Warehousing at Risk: Many warehouses along the I-4 corridor could be hit hard, with carriers relocating drivers for safety. Trucking operations across the state are being paused or diverted.
Freight Demand Surge: After the storm, expect a huge spike in demand for trucks to move relief supplies. Craig Fuller from FreightWaves predicts freight rates will rise sharply, just like they did after Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Expert Thoughts
"No retailer wants to hold on to this inventory for a long time," Fuller added.
Here’s what industry leaders are saying:
Kathy Fulton (ALAN): “The biggest concern is the damage to warehousing and relocating drivers to safer areas.”
Craig Fuller (FreightWaves): “Freight demand will soar once recovery starts. There’s going to be a rush to move goods fast, and freight rates will spike.”
Bigger Picture & Historical Context
Milton won’t just affect Florida. The storm will ripple across global supply chains. Delays at ports, rerouted cargo ships, and damaged infrastructure will drive up costs and extend delivery times. Bart De Muynck says on FreightWaves these disruptions could last for weeks.
Historical Context: Hurricanes have historically led to significant increases in freight rates. For instance, after Hurricane Irma hit in 2017, spot market rates for truckloads spiked as demand for freight increased due to relief and rebuilding efforts.
Van Spot Rates Following Hurricane Irma (2017)*
Lane
Rate Increase ($/mile)
Percent Increase
Atlanta to Lakeland, FL
0.70
23.7%
Atlanta to Miami
0.54
20.4%
Atlanta to Tampa
0.54
20.9%
Charlotte to Lakeland, FL
0.42
14.5%
Rates on these lanes soared as inbound rates accounted for potential deadhead miles on the roundtrip due to less freight leaving Florida than usual.
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🌎 AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB
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ShipperCRM, founded by FreightCaviar, released Team Workspaces, allowing users to assign shipper ownership, set up collaborative or isolated workspaces, and manage outreach more easily.
I’m Adriana, a writer and editor at FreightCaviar. I’ve covered everything from freight tech to industry lawsuits and market shifts, helping scale us to almost 14K subscribers. My goal: to make logistics stories digestible, clear, and fun to read.
Hello! I'm Jerome FreightCaviar! I’m into the politics of freight and the impact it will have worldwide. I'm always eager to learn more. Follow me on X @JeromeFreightC
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