TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Milton continues at Category 5 strength as it approaches Florida's west coast the National Hurricane Center said.
Milton came on the scene on Saturday as a tropical storm. Early Monday morning, Milton kicked off a rapid intensification starting as a Category 2 storm. It temporarily weakened to a Category 4 storm on Tuesday before regaining strength once again.
"Florida residents should get their families and homes ready and evacuate if told to do so," forecasters said.
Florida is likely to see the most severe impacts on Wednesday.
As of the latest advisory, the storm is about 440 miles southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds at 165 mph. It is moving east-northeast at 10 mph.
"While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida," the NHC said.
A hurricane warning is in effect for:
- Florida's west coast from Bonita Beach northward to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay
- Celestun to Rio Lagartos
- East coast of Florida from the Indian River/St. Lucie County Line northward to Ponte Vedra Beach
- Extended southward to St. Lucie/Martin County Line
A hurricane watch has been issued for the following:
- Dry Tortugas
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida west coast from Chokoloskee to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida east coast north of Ponte Vedra Beach to the mouth of the
St. Marys River - Florida east coast from the St. Lucie/Martin County Line to the
Palm Beach/Martin County Line
A tropical storm warning is in place for:
- Dzilam to Cancun Mexico
- Florida Keys, including Dry Tortugas and Florida Bay
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida west coast from Flamingo to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida west coast from north of Suwanee River to Indian Pass
- Florida east coast south of the St. Lucie/Martin County Line to
Flamingo - North of Ponte Vedra Beach Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia
- Extreme northwestern Bahamas, including Grand Bahama Island, the
Abacos, and Bimini
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the following:
- East coast of the Florida Peninsula south of the St. Lucie/Indian River County Line southward to Flamingo
- Coast of Georgia and South Carolina from north of the mouth of the St. Mary River to South Santee River, South Carolina
- North of Altamaha Sound Georgia to South Santee River South
Carolina
A storm surge warning is in effect for:
- West coast of Florida from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay
- East coast of Florida from Port Canaveral northward to the mouth of the St. Mary's River, including the St. Johns River
- Sebastian Inlet, Florida, and northward to Altamaha Sound, Georgia.
A storm surge watch has been issued for the following:
- South of Port Canaveral to Sebastian Inlet
- Mouth of the St. Mary's River to Edisto Beach
The Tampa Bay area has the potential to see 10 to 15 feet of storm surge, but this is highly dependent on the track. A slight shift in the landfall south of Tampa Bay would result in lower surge totals.
Rainfall from Milton is expected to range between 5-12 inches with localized totals up to 18 inches across portions of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys through Wednesday night. That rainfall will bring risks of flash, urban and areal flooding along with minor to moderate river flooding, according to NHC.
With a front sinking in from the north, the areas prone to seeing most of the rain will exist along and south of I-4. Coastal areas should pay close attention to the forecast and have a way to receive alerts in case a flash flood warning is to be issued.
By Wednesday, Hurricane Milton's impacts will also include storm surge and damaging winds. Keep checking back for updates.
Our 10 Tampa Bay Weather team will continue to monitor any development and keep you informed, prepared and connected through the rest of hurricane season.