NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA (352today.com) – Hurricane Milton has strengthened into a powerful Category 5 storm, with maximum sustained winds reaching 180 mph and central pressure dropping to 897mb, making it one of the most intense storms in recent history.
Forecasters are warning of a potential direct hit on Florida’s west coast, particularly near the Tampa Bay region, from late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has advised residents to prepare for life-threatening storm surge, destructive winds, and flooding, with tropical storm-force wind gusts expected across much of interior North Central Florida.
As the storm moves closer, evacuation orders may be expanded, and emergency preparations are underway across the state.
Visit the 352today Hurricane Weather Center to track Milton’s latest trajectory, learn how to prepare, and find important resources including sandbag and shelter locations. Stay connected with us for real-time updates and tips to keep you and your family safe.
Download our app for important updates on Milton before, during, and after the storm.
Updated on 10.07.24 at 5:40 p.mm.: Hurricane Milton has become a powerful storm, with wind speeds reaching about 178 mph as it moves eastward toward the Yucatan Peninsula.
The National Hurricane Center says that satellite images show Milton’s eye becoming more defined, indicating that the hurricane is gaining strength. The pressure at the storm’s center has dropped dramatically, signaling its intensification, according to the NHC.
Milton is expected to approach the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula tonight before turning toward Florida by Wednesday. The NHC says that the storm could get even stronger overnight, fueled by warm waters and light wind conditions. However, it might start to weaken slightly on Tuesday as it undergoes an eyewall replacement cycle—a process that usually leads to temporary weakening but makes the storm larger, the NHC explains.
The NHC adds that potential storm surge could be as high as 15 feet.
Even with potential weakening, the NHC says that Milton is expected to remain a very dangerous hurricane as it nears Florida. Life-threatening storm surges, destructive waves, and hurricane-force winds are forecast along the west coast of Florida, with heavy rainfall increasing the risk of flash flooding.
Visit the 352today Hurricane Weather Center to track Milton’s latest trajectory, learn how to prepare, and find important resources including sandbag and shelter locations. Stay connected with us for real-time updates and tips to keep you and your family safe.
Download our app for important updates on Milton before, during, and after the storm.
Updated on 10.07.24 at 3:37 p.m.: Hurricane Milton exploded into a Category 5 monster on Monday, packing sustained winds of 175 mph as it barreled through the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida’s storm-battered western coast. In its 1 p.m. CT advisory, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Milton’s rapid intensification, strongly suggesting that residents to take local evacuation orders seriously.
The hurricane, currently centered about 700 miles west-southwest of Tampa, was moving eastward at 9 mph. Milton gained strength quickly, leaping from a Category 2 to a Category 5 within hours, making it one of the strongest storms of the season, according to the NHC. The NHC adds that while its intensity may slightly reduce due to possible eyewall replacement cycles, Milton’s size is expected to expand, posing a broader threat to the region.
Hurricane watches have been issued across Florida, with warnings of catastrophic storm surges, torrential rains, and widespread wind damage. Some areas already inundated by recent Hurricane Helene could receive an additional 5-10 inches of rain, with isolated totals of up to 15 inches, potentially causing dangerous flooding. The NHC says that the Tampa Bay area, along with other coastal communities including Cedar Key, Crystal River, Yankeetown, and Steinhatchee, is bracing for storm surges of 8-12 feet.
The NHC warned that heavy rains could hit parts of the state well before Milton’s eye nears landfall, likely between late Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Visit the 352today Hurricane Weather Center to track Milton’s latest trajectory, learn how to prepare, and find important resources including sandbag and shelter locations. Stay connected with us for real-time updates and tips to keep you and your family safe.
Download our app for important updates on Milton before, during, and after the storm.
Updated on 10.07.24 at 9:55 a.m.: Hurricane Milton has intensified into a Category 3 storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, according to the latest updates from the National Hurricane Center.
The storm, which is churning in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to strengthen further over the next 24 to 36 hours before a slight weakening occurs just prior to landfall.
The NHC says that Milton is currently on a path to impact Florida’s west coast, with the Tampa Bay area expected to experience the brunt of the storm when it comes ashore late Wednesday night. Forecasters are closely monitoring the storm’s development, noting that while additional intensification is likely in the short term, the system may lose some strength before striking land.
The NHC has issued Hurricane Watch for areas stretching from the Suwannee River in northern Florida to Chokoloskee in the south. This watch means that hurricane conditions, including strong winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous storm surges, are possible within the next 48 hours in these regions. Local officials are asking residents to prepare and stay informed about potential evacuation orders as the storm’s trajectory becomes clearer.
The Tampa Bay region, particularly vulnerable to storm surges and coastal flooding, could see significant impacts from Hurricane Milton’s landfall. Emergency management agencies are coordinating with state and local officials to make sure that preparations are in place.
Milton’s strengthening trend is being fueled by the warm waters of the Gulf, which provide the energy needed for the storm to maintain its intensity, says the NHC, adding that as the hurricane approaches land, interactions with landmasses and cooler atmospheric conditions may cause some weakening.
Visit the 352today Hurricane Weather Center to track Milton’s latest trajectory, learn how to prepare, and find important resources including sandbag and shelter locations. Stay connected with us for real-time updates and tips to keep you and your family safe.
Download our app for important updates on Milton before, during, and after the storm.
Original story posted 10.07.24 at 6:23 a.m.: Hurricane Milton is projected to make landfall on Florida’s west coast by Wednesday evening, potentially as a powerful Category 3 storm, bringing life-threatening storm surges, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) placed the storm’s current location around 770 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida as a Category 2 hurricane as of the 4 a.m. CDT update and is expected to become a major hurricane Monday with winds of at least 111 mph. Milton is forecast to move north of the Yucatan Peninsula, cross the southern Gulf of Mexico today and Tuesday, and approach the Florida Peninsula by midweek.
As Milton strengthens, forecasters expect it to reach Category 4 status, with winds ranging between 130 and 156 mph. While the exact point of landfall remains uncertain, the NHC warned of an “increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds” for portions of Florida’s west coast, starting early Wednesday.
Heavy rainfall will precede the storm, with areas of the Florida Peninsula and Keys expected to receive 5 to 10 inches of rain, and isolated areas seeing up to 15 inches by Wednesday night. This could lead to flash flooding, urban flooding, and areal flooding in vulnerable areas.
Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 51 of Florida’s 67 counties, urging residents to finalize storm preparations by Tuesday. He warned that Milton could cross Central Florida, potentially following the I-4 corridor, causing widespread power outages, debris, and infrastructure damage.
Watch the governor’s press conference:
During a press conference, DeSantis emphasized the importance of preparation: “You are going to see a lot of power outages. I mean, that is just something that I think people should prepare for. We already have a lot of crews coming into the state of Florida. They’re going to be staged in different parts of the state of Florida.”
The governor says to secure loose outdoor items that could become projectiles and have enough food and water for several days without power. Hurricane Milton is expected to move out into the Atlantic by Thursday evening, but the days leading up to its landfall could be critical for those in its path.
Visit our Hurricane Weather Center to track Milton’s latest trajectory, learn how to prepare, and find important resources including sandbag and shelter locations. Stay connected with us for real-time updates and tips to keep you and your family safe.
Download our app for important updates on Milton before, during, and after the storm.