WASHINGTON, DC — HURRICANE Milton has slowed down but picked up forward speed as it continues to pose a significant threat to Florida, which remains squarely in its path.
The eye of the storm is projected to make landfall near the Tampa Bay area, where officials have been urging residents to evacuate. The region is expected to experience storm surges ranging from 2 to 15 feet in some areas, posing a severe risk to life and property.
In its 8:00 a.m. update, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that the eye of Hurricane Milton was located near latitude 25.0° N and longitude 84.8° W, moving northeast at approximately 16 mph (26 km/h).
The NHC forecast indicates that Milton will continue moving northeast through tonight, turning east-northeast and then east on Thursday and Friday. On this trajectory, the center of Milton is expected to cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico today, make landfall along Florida’s west-central coast late tonight or early Thursday morning, and then move off Florida’s east coast into the western Atlantic by Thursday afternoon.
On Tuesday, Milton’s winds reached up to 185 mph, classifying it as a powerful Category 5 hurricane before it was downgraded and later upgraded again. Currently, Milton is a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds near 155 mph (250 km/h) and higher gusts. According to the NHC, Milton is likely to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane when it makes landfall tonight.
Hurricane-force winds extend up to 30 miles (45 km) from the storm’s center, while tropical-storm-force winds stretch outward up to 125 miles (205 km).
Numerous Storm Surge Warnings, Watches, and Hurricane Warnings remain in effect as Florida prepares for Milton’s arrival.
