TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Milton is keeping its strength as a Category 4 storm and still "poses an extremely serious threat to Florida," the National Hurricane Center said.
"Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters find that Milton's intensity has rebounded," the NHC's latest advisory said. "Today is the last full day for Florida residents to get their families and homes ready and evacuate if told to do so."
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. By noon, the storm had strengthened to a large Category 5 hurricane.
Florida could see impacts beginning Tuesday evening into Wednesday.
As of the latest advisory, the storm is about 520 miles southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds at 155 mph. It is moving east-northeast at 8 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
A hurricane watch has been issued for the following:
- Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche
- Campeche to south of Celestun
- Dry Tortugas
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida's west coast from Chokoloskee to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida east coast from the St. Lucie/Indian River County Line northward to the mouth of the St. Marys River
A tropical storm warning is in place for:
- Rio Lagartos to Cancun
- Campeche to south of Celestun
- All of the Florida Keys, including Dry Tortugas
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida's west coast from Flamingo to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida's west coast from north of the mouth of the Suwanee River to Indian Pass
- Southeast coast of Florida south of the Indian River/St. Lucie County Line to Flamingo, and for the northeast coast of Florida north of Ponte Vedra Beach to the mouth of the St. Mary's River
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
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
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
Currently, the Tampa Bay area is expected to see between 10 and 15 feet of storm surge.
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.
