FLORIDA, USA — Milton underwent rapid intensification overnight and is now a major Category 4 hurricane.
It's currently on a path toward Florida population centers, including Tampa and Orlando, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations. This is happening less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene.
Hurricane Milton has sustained winds of 150 mph. It's important to note that a Category 5 hurricane is reached with winds of 157+. The hurricane is tracking ESE at 8 mph.
Hurricane watches have been posted along the west coast of Florida.
Latest storm track
Milton is expected to remain a Category 4 storm as it tracks along the Yucatan Peninsula, before turning northeast Tuesday into Wednesday morning.
The storm is then set to interact with wind shear off the Florida coast and weaken into a Category 3 shortly before impact. The storm is expected to remain a Category 1 as it tracks across the Florida peninsula during the overnight hours Wednesday into Thursday morning.
Key messages from the National Hurricane Center:
1. Dangerous hurricane-force winds are expected across portions of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. A life-threatening storm surge with damaging waves is also likely along portions of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.
2. There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches are now in effect for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula, and residents in that area should follow any advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so.
3. Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida today well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to the system expected later on Tuesday through Wednesday night. This rainfall will bring the risk of considerable flash, urban and areal flooding, along with the potential for moderate to major river flooding.
If you have friends or family or travel plans in this area, please stay updated on the latest tropical information from the National Hurricane Center.