Tropical Storm Milton will form in the Gulf of Mexico and strengthen into a hurricane heading toward Florida with potential impacts along its west coast, the National Hurricane Center said Saturday.
Milton is predicted to undergo a period of rapid intensification And “bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to parts of Florida’s west coast next week,” the hurricane center said. It will become a hurricane Sunday night and strengthen into a major hurricane in the central and eastern Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane center said.
A major hurricane is defined as a Category 3 storm or a major storm with maximum sustained winds of 111 miles per hour.
NOAA
As of 5 p.m. ET Saturday, Milton was centered 245 miles north of Veracruz, Mexico and 385 miles west-northwest of Veracruz, Mexico. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving north-northeast at 3 mph.
Milton will cross the southwestern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday night, cross the south central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday and reach the west coast of Florida by midweek, the hurricane center said.
The forecast comes a week later Hurricane Helen makes landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing at least 229 people and wreaking havoc in six states. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Big Bend, Florida, where Helen made landfall as a Category 4 storm. With hundreds of people still missing and communities still suffering without electricity, running water and passable roads, Mr. Biden said.
Governor Ron DeSantis The emergency order was issued on Saturday A state of emergency has been declared in 35 Florida counties to prepare for possible landfall from Tropical Storm Milton. As Florida continues to rebuild after the damage caused by Hurricane Helen, DeSantis said, “state assets will continue to prepare for efficient search and rescue, power restoration and roadway cleanup.”
In a news release Saturday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Milton “could bring storm surge and heavy rainfall to areas recovering from Hurricanes Helen and Debbie and could affect areas far from the coast.”
FEMA said it already has hundreds of personnel in Florida helping with the recovery of Hel, who will help prepare for Milton’s possible arrival.
Heavy rain is expected in the area starting Sunday and continuing into Monday, CBS Miami reported, with more rain and gusty winds coming Wednesday. A tornado and storm surge watch will be required for parts of Florida beginning Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
NOAA
Rain totals of 5 to 12 inches are possible across the Florida peninsula and Milton to the Florida Keys, the hurricane center said. Along with the heavy rain, the hurricane center expects a risk of flooding.
Residents in the area should make sure they have a hurricane plan, the hurricane center said, and follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
