Hurricane Milton Intensifies to Category 5 as Florida Braces for Life-Threatening Impact
Hurricane Milton has strengthened into a Category 5 storm as it churns across the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, heading toward Florida. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges, devastating winds, and flooding rains to much of the state.
TAMPA – Mandatory evacuations are underway along Florida’s west coast as millions of residents brace for Hurricane Milton, now a powerful Category 5 hurricane with winds of 175 mph. The storm continues to intensify rapidly over the Gulf’s warm waters, posing a significant threat to Florida.
TRACKING HURRICANE MILTON: PATH, FORECAST, AND FLORIDA IMPACTS
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has reported that Milton is “explosively intensifying” and urged residents to follow evacuation orders and guidance from local officials. With 175 mph winds, Milton is the strongest Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and ranks as the fourth strongest storm ever recorded. Hurricane Allen, which reached 190 mph winds, holds the record for the strongest Atlantic hurricane.
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The situation in Florida has become critical, with state and local officials emphasizing that time is running out for residents to prepare. Those in coastal or low-lying areas must evacuate before Milton’s arrival, which could bring a deadly storm surge of up to 12 feet in some areas, including Tampa Bay.
This is the most significant hurricane threat to west-central Florida in over 100 years.
Governor DeSantis placed 51 of the state’s 67 counties under a state of emergency, and President Joe Biden approved Florida’s emergency declaration, allowing FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate disaster relief efforts.
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The first alerts for Hurricane Milton were issued early Monday morning along Florida’s Gulf Coast and have since been expanded to encompass additional areas in Central Florida, including Orlando.
As Hurricane Milton draws nearer, it is expected that these alerts will be further extended to cover more regions, particularly those closer to the state’s east coast.
Know Your Zone: Florida’s evacuation map indicates which areas will need to evacuate before the hurricane strikes.
Hurricane Watches are currently in effect from Chokoloskee along the Gulf Coast to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay.
In addition, Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for the Florida Keys, as well as regions from Flamingo to south of Chokoloskee and north of the mouth of the Suwannee River to Indian Pass.
As Hurricane Milton approaches, Florida is preparing for its largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Storm Surge Watches have been issued for much of Florida’s Gulf Coast, covering areas such as Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.
The storm surge forecast for Tampa Bay indicates potential levels of 8 to 12 feet, particularly if the peak surge aligns with high tide. This forecast represents a significant increase compared to Hurricane Helene, which recorded storm surge levels of 7 to 8 feet in the same area.
