Hurricane Milton is seen over the Gulf of Mexico in an aerial view from the SpaceTV-1 camera system on October 8, 2024.
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Rain continues in Tampa area Wednesday morning Winds are expected to increase p.m. as a floridian Get ready quickly Hurricane Milton. The storm continued to fluctuate in intensity as it approached the state’s west coast and was expected to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, the second highest category.
The National Hurricane Center said Monday that the storm had intensified to a Category 5 storm, but dropped to a Category 4 Wednesday morning with sustained winds of up to 155 mph. The National Hurricane Center said the storm will remain a hurricane as it crosses the Florida peninsula.
As of Wednesday morning, Storm surge warning in effect Central to south west coast of Florida, including Tampa. The NHC warning stated that “over the next 36 hours, seawater will rise in designated locations and move inland from the coastline, creating the threat of flooding and endangering lives.”
Vehicles drive through partially flooded streets in Dunedin ahead of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall in Florida tonight, October 9, 2024.
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Nearly 6 million people in more than 10 counties have received evacuation orders. Federal Emergency Management Agency Written on Wednesday “If you don’t take immediate action, your life is at serious risk – every second counts.”
As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, the storm was located about 210 miles southwest of the Tampa metro area and moving northeast about 16 mph with sustained winds of 155 mph. The hurricane could make landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Dean Criswell recommended Wednesday that Floridians in storm surge watch areas should still try to evacuate, even if it’s just a few miles inland. “Milton is going to be a deadly and catastrophic storm,” Criswell said at a news conference.
Criswell also said she would travel to Florida on Wednesday to help with recovery efforts after the storm hit. “I want people to get my message directly that FEMA is ready,” she said.
National Weather Service Issue tornado warning Wednesday across much of central and southern Florida, including Miami-Dade County. The warning also includes hail up to half an inch in size and wind gusts up to 70 mph.
National Weather Service Tornadoes have been reported Take Interstate 75 as you drive along western Florida.
