Less than two weeks ago, Floridians were hit with the massive Category 4 Hurricane Helene. Now, they’re bracing for another storm known as Hurricane Milton. The tropical storm intensified to a Category 3 in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, October 6, and it’s expected to wreak havoc on the west coast of the sunshine state soon.
Florida Governor Ron De Santis urged residents to prepare for Milton. On October 6, he tweeted that the state was “preparing for significant impacts from Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane on Florida’s west coast by mid-week.” He added that the impact from the hurricane “will be felt across the Florida peninsula, as Milton is forecasted to exit Florida’s east coast as a hurricane.”
When Will Hurricane Milton Make Landfall?
Per CBS News, the National Hurricane Center predicted that Milton will make landfall in Florida on Wednesday, October 9. The state’s west coast is expected to get the brunt of the storm, which is also where Helene hit. By Thursday, October 10, heavily populated areas of Florida will feel the impact of Milton, according to storm maps.
Per CBS, the NHC indicated that Milton “is moving slowly but is expected to strengthen rapidly” as of Monday, October 7.
“There is increasing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week,” the NHC added.
0600 UPDATE – NOAA Hurricane Hunters find #Milton to be a Major Category 3 Hurricane. Storm surge and hurricane watches have been issued for portions of Florida. pic.twitter.com/QVZaJKAi5U
— National Hurricane Center (@NWSNHC) October 7, 2024
Florida Evacuation Zones
According to Fox 13, Tampa Bay residents are preparing to evacuate the area. The listed evacuation zones also include the following counties: Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Anna Marie Island.
Hurricane Milton Projected Path
Meteorologists noted that it’s too early to make a concrete prediction about the path of Hurricane Milton. However, as of now, the storm is expected to run through Florida, then spiral outward into the south Atlantic Ocean.
The NHC issued a statement warning Florida residents of the storm surge from Milton.
“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge from #Milton for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday,” the NHC tweeted on October 7. “Residents should follow any advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so.”