The event, called a reverse storm surge, also occurred during Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. As heavy winds from Milton whip from land into the Atlantic Ocean, water levels are dropping significantly, exposing a bare sandy shoreline where water usually sits.

With reverse storm surge, especially in larger storms, the opposite happens, explained AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok in 2022, after Ian hit. “It can pull the water out because the wind flow is coming from land to ocean, and it pushes the water,” he said. “The power of the wind is incredible.”

Residents trying to escape Hurricane Milton’s path are feeling the impact of fuel supply shortages at some gas stations with gas in high demand.