Hurricane Milton has explosively intensified in the Gulf of Mexico, reaching winds of 175 mph, making it the strongest Atlantic hurricane since Dorian in 2019. FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross highlighted how rare it is for a storm to strengthen this rapidly in the Gulf, warning that the impacts could be catastrophic.
Mandatory Evacuations and State of Emergency
Florida’s west coast is under mandatory evacuation orders as Hurricane Milton approaches, with millions of residents preparing for potentially life-threatening impacts. The storm has been upgraded to a Category 5, with wind speeds of 175 mph, tying it as the fourth strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic. Hurricane Allen in 1980 still holds the record with 190 mph winds.
As the storm nears, rain has already started to fall in areas like Kissimmee, Florida. Florida’s Governor has declared a state of emergency for 51 of the state’s 67 counties. On Monday, President Joe Biden approved Florida’s pre-landfall emergency request, authorizing FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate disaster relief efforts across the state.
Storm Surge and Expanded Warnings
Residents in low-lying coastal areas have been warned to evacuate immediately, with the National Hurricane Center predicting storm surges as high as 12 feet in some locations, including Tampa Bay. This surge forecast surpasses that of previous storms like Hurricane Helene, which brought 7-8 feet of water to the same area.
Hurricane watches are in place for a large portion of Florida’s Gulf Coast, extending from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including the Tampa Bay area. The watch areas are expected to expand as the storm moves closer, potentially affecting central areas such as Orlando. Tropical storm watches are also in effect for parts of the Florida Keys, while storm surge watches are posted for most of the Gulf Coast, including Charlotte Harbor and Bonita Beach.
The deepest flooding is expected near and south of Milton’s landfall location, with dangerous waves accompanying the surge. Charlotte Harbor could see a surge of 5-10 feet, while Bonita Beach could experience 4-7 feet.
Milton’s Current Location and Movement
As of the latest reports, Hurricane Milton is about 700 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, moving east-southeast at 9 mph. With sustained winds of 175 mph, Milton remains a powerful Category 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.