Hurricane Milton has rapidly strengthened to a Category 5 storm throughout Monday as it continues to move toward Florida with 175-mph winds.
The National Hurricane Center warned that the hurricane has intensified "explosively" and that the west coast of Florida is set to see "life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds" as of Tuesday night or early Wednesday. It also urged state residents to "follow the advice of local officials."
An extraordinary amount of lightning within Hurricane Milton's eye wall this morning.
— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) October 7, 2024
Milton is now a powerful, Category 4 storm. pic.twitter.com/REcyx7PlwA
Tampa Bay could end up in the center of the storm, an event that the area hasn't seen in over a century. Scientists expect Milton to weaken somewhat before landfall, but for now it has strengthened quickly as it goes through the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters are warning that Tampa could see storm surges of up to 12 feet, while the rest of the state could experience widespread flooding from 5 to 10 inches.
Speaking in a press conference, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said that Milton is the "real deal." "If you want to take on Mother Nature, she wins 100% of the time," she added.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for most of the state, adding that it was key for the debris from Hurricane Helene to be cleared before the arrival of Milton. Officials have warned residents to enter objects that could be picked up easily by the storm like beach chairs and tables and heavily impact windows and houses.
It is expected that the areas most affected by Hurricane Helene will be spared of the worse of Milton. Tampa recorded 12 deaths, the worst damage taking place in barrier islands from St. Petersburg to Clearwater.
In a press conference Sunday, Kevin Guthrie, executive director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said his team was preparing for "the largest evacuation that we have seen" since 2017's Hurricane Irma.
"Evacuate if you are in an evacuation zone. If you are not in an evacuation zone and your house was built in accordance with the Florida building code, you may be better off staying in place," he said. "If you are dependent on power, you will need to evacuate. If you're dependent on a special set of circumstances, you'll need to evacuate."
You can check if you are in an evacuation zone by visiting this evacuation map created by state authorities.
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