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Hurricane Milton: everything we know

Hurricane Milton is becoming a dangerous storm, expected to hit Florida’s west coast on October 9, 2024. This Category 4 hurricane has prompted mass evacuations, especially in the Tampa Bay area, where authorities warn of a potential storm surge of up to 15 feet. Emergency crews are working against time to remove Helene’s debris before Milton arrives. Here is what we know so far.

How It Started

Hurricane Milton grew at an astonishing pace, rapidly intensifying from a Category 1 to a Category 5 hurricane within 24 hours, fueled by unusually warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Climate experts point to rising ocean temperatures as the driving force behind Milton’s rapid development, following a pattern of intensifying storms due to climate change. While it has slightly weakened to a Category 4, Milton remains a formidable force, with wind speeds reaching 155 mph. Milton’s rapid intensification has drawn comparisons to previous hurricanes like Wilma (2005) and Felix (2007), both of which intensified under similar conditions.

Affected Areas

Milton’s current trajectory targets Tampa and Central Florida, which are bracing for heavy rainfall, life-threatening storm surges, and catastrophic winds. Authorities have declared states of emergency across many counties, with storm-force winds expected to extend well beyond the hurricane’s core. Florida residents are being urged to evacuate or seek shelter as the storm approaches. According to CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan and senior weather producer David Parkinson, the storm will likely make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane around the Tampa Bay area late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Projected Path

The National Hurricane Center forecasts that Hurricane Milton will make landfall late Wednesday evening, retaining its strength as a major hurricane. While some weakening is possible as it nears the coast, Milton is expected to cause widespread damage. Rainfall totals could reach 12-18 inches in some areas, leading to flash floods and major river flooding across Central Florida. Hurricane-force winds will likely affect areas within 30 miles of the storm’s center, with tropical-storm-force winds extending 105 miles outward. Localized rainfall may lead to further flooding in communities already struggling to recover from Helene’s aftermath.

Latest Updates

October 8, 2024, 12:49 PM EST:

  • As of the latest news, Hurricane Milton is approximately 520 miles southwest of Tampa, moving at 12 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.
  • It is expected to make landfall Wednesday night as a Category 4 hurricane on Florida’s Central Gulf Coast. Intense rainfall is expected to cause life-threatening flash and urban flooding, together with moderate to major river flooding.
  • It will double in size, even though it is forecast to weaken before it makes landfall. Residents are urged to remain vigilant, stay updated on evacuation orders, and prepare for the storm’s impact.
  • Highways and drained gas pumps are clogged as residents head for higher ground, this could be one of the largest evacuations in Florida’s state history.

October 9, 2024, 5:05 AM EST:

  • According to the National Hurricane Center’s update, Hurricane Milton — now a Category 5 storm — heads toward Florida’s Gulf Coast with sustained winds of 160 mph and moving northeast at 12 mph.
  • Milton is expected to weaken to a Category 3 hurricane when it enters Florida sometime late tonight or early Thursday near Sarasota.
  • It will expand in size, meaning its dangerous impacts will be felt over a massive area.
  • In Orlando and the surrounding area, forecasters warned of up to 15 inches of rain and extreme flooding rain threat.

October 9, 2024, 11:22 AM EST:

  • This morning Milton’s winds have reached part of Florida and gusts of 40 to 55 mph are currently striking a large portion of the Keys.
  • Milton’s winds will stretch deeper inland later this afternoon.
  • At least two tornadoes have occurred this morning, including one classified as “large and extremely dangerous,” confirmed near Big Cypress Seminole Reservation and moving north at 25 mph. The National Weather Service warns that this is a life-threatening situation with deadly flying debris, and residents must seek shelter immediately.
  • Additionally, Florida’s most exposed areas are currently experiencing gas station outages according to GasBuddy. In the Tampa-St. Petersburg area, 59.2% of gas stations were reported to have no gas as of 9:36 a.m. ET.
  • Urgent evacuation orders have been issued for approximately 147,000 residents and visitors in Manatee County, where over 10 feet of life-threatening storm surge is expected. Authorities stress that time is running out, everyone must be in a shelter or designated safe area by 1 p.m. ET.
  • Sanibel, Florida, officials urge residents to evacuate immediately as tropical-storm-force winds approach by 2 p.m. ET. The National Hurricane Center warns of a dangerous 8 to 12-foot storm surge for Lee County.

October 10, 2024, 3:32 AM EST:

  • About 90 minutes after landfall, late last night Milton was downgraded to a Category 2 storm.
  • The storm is accelerating east-northeastward across Central Florida and will be in the Atlantic by sunrise this morning.
  • Waist-deep water has been reported in St. Petersburg and Tampa due to rainfall-driven flooding.
  • The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of about 105 mph and storm surge warnings were in effect for parts of Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coastlines, Milton will continue to weaken gradually as it moves over Florida because of increasing wind shear and land interaction.
  • Several tornadoes have been confirmed in southern Florida, as well as tropical storm and hurricane warnings in parts of coastal South Carolina and Georgia.
  • Life-threatening water rise from storm surge is expected along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Altamaha Sound, and Georgia including the St. Johns River.
  • More than 2.6 million homes and businesses are without power across Florida, and 125 homes – many of them mobile – have been destroyed.

October 10, 2024, 11:35 AM EST:

  • After devastating rain, the Category 1 Hurricane traveled east across Florida overnight.
  • Early this morning, the National Hurricane Center announced it was pulling away from the peninsula’s east coast.
  • Despite the storm passing, officials in many areas have urged residents to remain indoors while efforts to assess the damage continue.
  • The city of Tampa is not experiencing extensive injuries or any deaths following Hurricane Milton, while there is extensive flooding in some areas, the damage is not at the same level as it was following Hurricane Helene.