Hurricane Milton Tracker: Category 5 Storm Approaches Florida’s Gulf Coast

Storm Overview: Milton Remains a Powerful Category 5 Hurricane

As of Monday evening, Hurricane Milton remains a Category 5 storm, maintaining its intensity as it approaches Florida's Gulf coast. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the hurricane currently has maximum sustained winds of 165 mph and is moving east at nine miles per hour.

Current Position and Forecast

• Location: 21.8N and 89.9W in the Gulf of Mexico
• Expected Weakening: Eyewall replacement cycle expected to cause gradual weakening on Tuesday
• Landfall: Predicted to encounter strong shear and dry air by Wednesday, weakening the storm but remaining a powerful hurricane upon landfall on Florida’s west coast

Potential Impacts on Florida’s West Coast

• Heavy Rainfall: Significant rainfall expected on Wednesday and Thursday in the Tampa Bay area and central Florida
• Storm Surge: Forecast to cause 8-12 feet of storm surge from Anclote south to Fort Myers Beach
• Flood Watch: In effect for the entire Tampa Bay area, most of Central Florida, and all of South Florida

Watches and Warnings in Effect for Florida

Hurricane Warnings

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Florida’s west coast, extending from Bonita Beach to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay. This means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 36 hours.

Storm Surge Warnings

A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for the west coast of Florida from Flamingo to the Suwannee River, indicating a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising waters over the next 36 hours.

Flood Watch

Flood Watches are currently active across the entire Tampa Bay area, Central Florida, and South Florida through Thursday morning.

Impact on Local Areas: Evacuations and School Closures

• Mandatory Evacuations: Have begun in the Tampa Bay Area as Hurricane Milton approaches
• School Closures: Schools in the Bay Area are shutting down in preparation for the storm’s impact

Uncertainty in Landfall

Meteorologists have highlighted the uncertainty regarding Hurricane Milton's exact landfall location. The storm's track will be crucial in determining the worst-hit areas, with concerns about significant storm surge in low-lying coastal regions.