Hurricane Milton: Storm of the Century Slams Florida: 30 IELTS and TOEFL Prep Terms

Hurricane Milton is expected to slam Florida in the next couple hours. In this English lesson, we will watch a news clip and talk about all the difficult vocabulary that might give English learners some trouble.
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1. Tracking - Following the path of something.
• Experts are tracking Hurricane Milton as it moves toward Tampa Bay.
2. Downgraded - To reduce the strength or importance of something.
• Hurricane Milton was downgraded from Category 5 to 4 as it reached Fort Myers.
3. Weakened - Made less strong.
• The storm weakened slightly before hitting Tampa Bay, but it remains dangerous.
4. Weekend - The end of the week (Saturday and Sunday).
• Hurricane Milton is expected to hit over the weekend, causing major disruptions.
5. Destructive - Causing great damage.
• Milton is a destructive storm, leaving widespread damage in Fort Myers.
6. Downplay - To make something seem less important.
• Officials warn residents not to downplay the severity of Hurricane Milton.
7. Storm surge - A rise in sea level caused by a hurricane.
• A dangerous storm surge is expected along the Gulf Coast as Milton approaches.
8. A wide swath - A large area.
• Hurricane Milton could impact a wide swath of Florida, including Tampa Bay.
9. Barreling towards - Moving quickly and forcefully.
• The storm is barreling towards Fort Myers, expected to hit by midnight.
10. Make landfall - When a storm reaches land.
• Milton will make landfall near Tampa Bay with high winds and flooding.
11. Eye of the storm - The calm center of a hurricane.
• The eye of the storm passed over Fort Myers, offering a brief moment of calm.
12. Once in a century storm - A storm that happens very rarely.
• Meteorologists are calling Milton a once in a century storm due to its strength.
13. Mandatory evacuation - A forced order for people to leave an area.
• A mandatory evacuation was issued for Tampa Bay ahead of Milton’s arrival.
14. Shuttered - To close something, often for protection.
• Shops in Tampa Bay shuttered their windows in preparation for the storm.
15. Shuddered - To shake or tremble in fear.
• Residents shuddered in fear as the winds of Milton intensified.
16. Flee - To run away from danger.
• Thousands of people fled Fort Myers to escape the coming storm.
17. Petrified - Extremely scared.
• Many residents were petrified as Hurricane Milton approached the Gulf Coast.
18. Suspended commercial travel - Stopped travel for safety reasons.
• Airports in Tampa Bay suspended commercial travel as the storm grew stronger.
19. Widespread destruction - Damage over a large area.
• Milton caused widespread destruction along the Gulf Coast, leaving many homes damaged.
20. Gulf Coast - The coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.
• The Gulf Coast is preparing for Hurricane Milton’s arrival, especially near Tampa Bay.
21. A huge rush - A large number of people doing something quickly.
• There was a huge rush to buy supplies before Milton hit Fort Myers.
22. Escorting - Accompanying someone or something for protection.
• Police were escorting evacuees out of the storm zone to safer areas.