The Brief
- Hurricane Milton is intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico as it heads toward Florida, and is expected to reach Category 4 status.
- It’s expected to make landfall along Florida’s west coast by mid-week.
- Florida’s governor has declared a state of emergency in 51 counties.
Hurricane Milton is rapidly intensifying as it barrels toward Florida, where potentially life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and torrential rain are expected when it makes landfall later this week. As of Sunday afternoon, the storm was gaining strength more than initially expected and had shifted a bit farther south, Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said on FOX Weather. FOX Weather reported the hurricane was expected to reach Category 4 status at its peak.
Florida’s governor and emergency management director on Sunday urged those in the storm’s path to evacuate, warning that time is running out to prepare. Milton would be the third hurricane to make landfall in Florida this year.
Tracking Milton (FOX Weather)
“I urge Floridians to finalize your storm preparations now; enact your plan,” Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said. “I highly encourage you to evacuate. We are preparing, and I have the State Emergency Response Team preparing, for the largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma.”
When will Hurricane Milton make landfall?
With the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton is forecast to continue to rapidly intensify, reaching Category 4 strength by Tuesday before slightly weakening ahead of landfall in Florida on Wednesday. However, forecasters warn that Milton will likely still strike Florida as a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher).
No watches or warnings are in effect for the mainland U.S., but Tropical Storm Warnings and Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for portions of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Hurricane Milton was located more than 800 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, Sunday afternoon, and has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Milton is moving off to the east at 6 mph.
A separate weather system is expected to bring heavy rainfall beginning today, threatening flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with some river flooding in Florida.
Milton state of emergency
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 51 counties ahead of the storm’s potential landfall. Since many of those counties are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, DeSantis asked the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Transportation to coordinate all available resources and personnel to supplement local communities as they expedite debris removal.
Milton storm surge
Norcross says it’s too early to predict how much storm surge this system could generate on Florida’s West Coast, as it’ll depend on Milton’s track and where it makes landfall in western Florida. But it will be significant and dangerous.
“In some areas, it will likely be higher than in Hurricane Helene,” Norcross said. “It’s critical that everybody in Central and South Florida stay well-informed since things are developing quickly.”
Tropical Storm Milton to become ‘major storm’
Tropical Storm Milton is expected to become a ‘major storm’ over the next couple of days. The National Weather Service joined host Josh Breslow to provide an update on the latest.
Other hurricanes to watch
Meanwhile, Hurricane Kirk remained a Category 4 major hurricane about 1,345 miles (2,165 kilometers) west-southwest of the Azores with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) late Saturday night, the center said.
Large swells from the storm causing “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions” were affecting the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, and the U.S. East Coast. The swells were expected to move north along the U.S. East Coast and Canada’s Atlantic Coast on Sunday and to the Azores on Monday, the center said.
Hurricane Leslie was moving northwest over the open Atlantic without posing a threat to land, forecasters said late Saturday.
The storm was located about 855 miles (1,375 kilometers) west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (128 kph). There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Milton could impact Helene recovery
Milton is churning as rescuers in the U.S. Southeast continue to search for people unaccounted for after Hurricane Helene struck last week, leaving behind a trail of death and catastrophic damage.
Helene claimed at least 227 lives across Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia, the bulk of those in the Carolinas where mountain towns were nearly completely wiped out.
Helene came ashore Sept. 26 as a Category 4 hurricane and carved a wide swath of destruction as it moved northward from Florida, washing away homes, destroying roads, and knocking out electricity and cellphone service for millions.
Helene is the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005.
Conclusion
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring severe weather conditions to Florida in the coming days, with potentially life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and torrential rain. Florida’s governor has declared a state of emergency in 51 counties, and those in the storm’s path are urged to evacuate immediately.
FAQs
Q: What is the current status of Hurricane Milton?
A: As of Sunday afternoon, Hurricane Milton is rapidly intensifying and is expected to reach Category 4 strength by Tuesday.
Q: When is Hurricane Milton expected to make landfall in Florida?
A: According to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
Q: What precautions should I take in preparation for Hurricane Milton?
A: Evacuate immediately if you are in the storm’s path, and make sure to finalize your storm preparations, including stockpiling food, water, and supplies.
Q: How can I stay informed about Hurricane Milton’s progress?
A: Keep an eye on local news and weather reports, and follow official social media accounts for updates on the storm’s track and impact.
Q: What is the current situation with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts?
A: Rescuers are still searching for people unaccounted for after Hurricane Helene struck last week, leaving behind a trail of death and catastrophic damage.
