Hurricane Milton's core is currently located approximately 60 miles south-southwest of Orlando and is expected to make its closest pass near the city, leading to power outages in homes and businesses.
As of 12:40 a.m. Thursday, around 37,000 energy customers in Orange County, which includes Orlando, are without power due to the impact of the storm.
Despite weakening slightly, Hurricane Milton remains a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, as reported by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm is moving east-northeast at a speed of 16 mph.
Orlando has already experienced a gust of 64 mph, indicating the intensity of the storm's impact on the city.
Residents are advised to stay indoors and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this challenging weather event. Emergency services are on high alert to respond to any incidents that may arise as Hurricane Milton continues its path towards Orlando.