Tropical Storm Milton expected to strengthen into hurricane, on path toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico Saturday and was forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it headed toward Florida's west coast, the National Hurricane Center said. Forecasters warned Sunday of increasing risks for parts of the coast that could feel "life-threatening impacts" of the powerful storm.
Milton was forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification, the hurricane center said. It is predicted to become a hurricane Sunday night and either reach or approach major hurricane strength before arriving in coastal Florida, the hurricane center said.
A major hurricane is defined as a Category 3 storm or larger with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour. The latest forecasts Sunday morning suggested Milton would make landfall with 120 mph winds.
As of 7 a.m. ET on Sunday, Milton was centered about 345 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and about 860 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida. It had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph — a jump from the 40 mph winds recorded late Saturday night — and was inching north-northeast at 5 mph.
Milton is forecast to move across the Gulf of Mexico and approach the western coast of the Florida peninsula by the middle of the week, the hurricane center said.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing at least 229 people in six states and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida's Big Bend, where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost "billions of dollars" as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an emergency order on Saturday declaring a state of emergency in 35 Florida counties in preparation for possible landfall by Milton. As Florida continues to rebuild after damages from Hurricane Helene, DeSantis said the state will "continue staging state assets to prepare for efficient search and rescue, power restoration, and roadway clearing." The Hollywood, Florida mayor declared a state of emergency for the city on Saturday in preparation for Milton.
The Mexican government late on Saturday issued a tropical storm watch for the Yucatan Peninsula from Celestun to Cancun. Hurricane and storm surge watches would likely be required for parts of Florida late Sunday, the hurricane center said.
In a news release Saturday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Milton could bring "storm surge and heavy rainfall to areas recovering from hurricanes Helene and Debby and affect areas far from the coast."
FEMA said it already had hundreds of staff in Florida assisting with Helene recovery who will also help prepare for Milton's potential arrival.
Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, the hurricane center said, with more rain and heavy winds most likely arriving later on Tuesday through Wednesday night.
The hurricane center said rainfall totals of 5 to 12 inches are possible across the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys from Milton.
Forecasters expected Milton to dump between 5 and 8 inches of rain on portions of the Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys through Wednesday night, and they said up to 12 inches of rainfall could accumulate in certain areas. The hurricane center warned of flooding risks along with heavy rainfall.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the hurricane center said, and follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
