Hurricane Milton to hit Florida as Category 4 storm
Florida braces for Hurricane Milton's landfall as Category 4 storm
Hurricane Milton is gaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico, with wind speeds hitting 85 mph on Sunday night as a Category 1 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center reported.
Milton is expected to escalate to a Category 4 hurricane late Monday night, maintaining this intensity through Tuesday. It is projected to slightly weaken to a Category 3 before making landfall on Wednesday, according to the NHC.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Milton is anticipated to hit the Madeira Beach area in Pinellas County around 5 p.m. on Wednesday. He cautioned that the storm’s path might shift in the coming days. The hurricane has been intensifying rapidly since Sunday and is forecasted to continue strengthening on Monday.
Here is the formation of Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico… this extremely dangerous storm will hit the heavily populated west coast of Florida on Wednesday. It is expected to become a Category 3/4 storm at landfall with winds as high as 130mph+ pic.twitter.com/oyoiyjFpMB
— CJP the Panda (@mrtimer2022) October 7, 2024
Currently, the storm is situated in a part of the Gulf conducive to intensification, with low wind shear and water temperatures between 85 and 88 degrees, providing the perfect conditions for the storm to grow stronger.
The governor warned that Milton could be a “major hurricane at landfall,” predicting a devastating storm surge, potentially worse than Hurricane Helene’s impact when it struck as a Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 27 in the Big Bend area of north Florida. Helene caused significant damage in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, resulting in over 230 fatalities.
Following Hurricane Helene, ABC News’ “Good Morning America” will broadcast special coverage titled “Southeast Strong: Help After Helene” (#SoutheastStrongABC) for five days, focusing on the affected communities and recovery efforts.
Kevin Guthrie, head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, stated on Sunday that preparations are underway for what could be the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017. State officials have been monitoring and preparing for Milton for the past 14 days.
On Saturday, DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 35 counties along Florida’s west coast, increasing the number to 51 by Sunday evening. The governor advised residents to replenish their supplies of gas and non-perishable food in preparation for Milton, especially considering the depletion from Hurricane Helene.
🚨 URGENT WARNING: Hurricane Milton Set to Hit Florida as a Major Hurricane! 🚨
⚠️ This is NOT a drill: Hurricane Milton is rapidly intensifying and is expected to slam into Florida’s west coast by Wednesday as a dangerous Category 3 or 4 storm! This means devastating winds,… pic.twitter.com/vtvYm9b2zS
— Lady (@LadyPowerVibes) October 5, 2024
DeSantis mentioned that 800 members of the state National Guard are currently clearing debris from Helene. He has instructed landfills to remain open 24/7 to expedite cleanup before Milton arrives. An additional 4,000 National Guard members will be deployed for debris removal after Milton hits.
Six hundred ambulances are on standby, DeSantis said on Sunday. He also noted that all Florida resources previously assisting in North Carolina and Tennessee have returned and are prepared to respond. The White House announced that President Joe Biden was briefed about Milton on Sunday morning.
“The president was informed about the potential impacts on the Florida Gulf Coast and FEMA’s efforts to preposition lifesaving resources ahead of the storm,” the White House stated. The NHC urges residents along Florida’s west coast to have a hurricane plan and stay updated on the evolving forecast.
A separate weather system has already brought 2 to 5 inches of rain to Florida over the weekend, increasing the flood threat substantially by the time Milton arrives. Rainfall totals over five days could exceed 10 inches in some areas. Storm surge and wind damage remain significant concerns along Florida’s west coast.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Axios: Tropical Storm Milton poses significant threats to Florida’s west coast, particularly Tampa-St. Petersburg, with potential high winds, storm surge flooding, and heavy rainfall, despite not being as large as Hurricane Helene.(read more)
- Weather.com emphasizes the rapid intensification and life-threatening storm surge of Hurricane Milton, warning Floridians of strong winds and heavy rainfall ahead of its predicted mid-week landfall.
(Note: The article content was not directly accessed from the provided link, so the information is based on the summary from the search results. If the article itself were accessed, the overview would be more detailed and specific.)(read more)
- FOX Weather reports Hurricane Milton rapidly intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico, prompting mandatory evacuations in Florida ahead of the storm’s midweek landfall.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How fast is Hurricane Milton as of Sunday night?
85 mph.
When is Hurricane Milton expected to make landfall?
Around 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
What category is Hurricane Milton forecasted to reach by late Monday night?
Category 4.
What areas are currently under a state of emergency for Hurricane Milton?
51 counties along Florida’s west coast.
What preparations are being made for Hurricane Milton’s arrival?
Evacuations, clearing debris, and deploying National Guard members.
