As Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthens into a Category 5 storm, Florida residents are bracing for what could be one of the deadliest hurricanes to hit the state in recent history.
With winds reaching 160 mph and devastating storm surge forecast, the storm prompted widespread warnings and evacuations across the Gulf Coast.
Authorities are trying to assess the full extent of the threat as Milton nears the Tampa Bay area, a region that hasn’t faced a major hurricane in more than a century. The National Hurricane Center issued dire forecasts and urged residents to take immediate action.
But what exactly does this mean for the millions who stand in her way? Can Milton overcome even the most dire predictions? Let’s break down what we know so far about the storm and the emergency preparations underway.
Hurricane Milton quickly strengthened to a Category 5 storm, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
With maximum sustained winds now reaching 160 mph (250 km/h), Milton has become a strong threat for Florida.
According to a Monday (Oct. 7) social media update, the NHC said: “Milton will rapidly strengthen to a Category 5 hurricane. @53rdWRS hurricane hunter aircraft data indicates maximum sustained winds have increased to 160 mph (250 km/h). ) with higher gusts.”
In response, Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna shared a video urging residents to evacuate and warned that Hurricane Milton could be “worse than Helene.”
The storm is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane, with the Tampa Bay area on Florida’s Gulf Coast likely between 1 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 9) and Thursday (Oct. 10) 1 a.m., according to NHC forecasts.
The NHC’s 8 a.m. report noted that winds in Milton had increased by 25 mph in just one hour, reaching a sustained speed of 125 mph.
While Milton is forecast to weaken to a Category 1 or 2 hurricane as it moves northeast through central Florida, it will likely still have significant impacts before leaving the state and entering the Atlantic Ocean.
Florida is currently under a storm surge and hurricane watch, and local officials are urging residents to evacuate if advised. Affected areas could see storm surges of up to 12 feet, with significant rainfall in the range of 5 to 10 inches, which could cause severe flooding in Florida, including the Keys.
Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Monday (Oct. 7) acknowledging the unpredictability of the storm’s exact path. “Moving 30, 40, 50 miles north or south will make a huge difference in terms of surges and blackouts,” he said. “We are bringing in resources and efforts to restore power will begin as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, strongly urged residents in the Tampa Bay area to evacuate immediately.
Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 51 counties, including Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe. The state has mobilized 5,000 National Guard members and plans to deploy another 3,000 before the storm makes landfall.
The NHC previously warned of an “increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds” from Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.
The strongest hurricane to make landfall in Florida was a Category 5 hurricane on Labor Day in 1935, which reached 185 mph (295 km/h) and killed more than 400 people. A major hurricane that directly hit Tampa Bay hadn’t happened in over 100 years, with the last occurrence being a deadly storm in 1921 that brought an 11-foot storm surge that devastated downtown Tampa.
As Hurricane Milton continues its rapid intensification, it poses a serious threat to Florida’s Gulf Coast, particularly the Tampa Bay area. With strong winds, heavy rainfall, and life-threatening storm surges expected, authorities are urging residents to take immediate precautions, including evacuation if necessary. A state of emergency has been declared and resources are being mobilized to prepare for the impact. As the storm progresses, it is imperative that all residents stay informed and follow official guidelines to ensure their safety. The historic intensity of Hurricane Milton serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the importance of preparedness.