Communities in Florida are stressed to prepare for Category 3 hurricane in Gulf of Mexico days after Hurricane Helene made landfall in state killing at least 20 people in Florida, leaving thousands without power and trail of wreckages.
Hurricane Coming to Florida
The storm strengthen overnight and boasting winds of 60 mph according to update Sunday morning from National Hurricane Center.
The storm was about 860 miles from Tampa in Gulf og Mexico.
It is forecast to intensify into hurricane by Sunday night and mega hurricane by Tuesday.
The state is clearing debris from Helene which made landfall September 26 on Florida Big Bend as Category 4 and created a 500 mile path of destruction with winds and flood its contending Tropical Storm Milton.
Milton Path
As many continue to recover from Hurricane Helene I haved directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Transportation to coordinate all personnel and resources to supplement local communities as they expedite debris removal in impact areas.”
“We will continued staging assets to prepare for efficient search and rescue power restoration and roadway clearing” DeSantis said in social media post.
Weather Forecast Hurricane Milton
Landfall for Milton is expected to happen Wednesday between Cedar Key and Naples includes entire Tampa Bay area.
The storm is projected to make landfall at up to Category 3 strength with 120 mph winds.
Storm and Hurricane surge watches will be issued for parts of western Florida coast on Sunday with storm expected for some area slammed by Helene.
Miami Orlando and Tampa are forecast to get four to eight inches of rain through Thursday.
That would equivalent of entire month worth of rain for Miami two months worth of rain for Orlando and three months worth rain for Tampa.
Locations within state interior could see over 10 inches of rain total.
“Regardless of details there is increasing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life threatening hazard will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast”.
Tropical Storm Milton Spaghetti Models
In preparation for storm Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared state of emergency for 35 counties Saturday according to release from his office.
The storm could prolong recovery efforts from Helene and impact Florida Gulf Coast communities still recuperating from Helene the release said.
When is Milton Hitting Florida
Tampa, Orlando and Miami are forecast to get four to eight inches of rain through Thursday.
Two months worth of rain for Orlando and three months worth of rain for Tampa.
Locations within state interior could see over 10 inches of rain total.
Very low vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures.
Milton will able to gain steady to rapid over the next few days.
Milton formed in western Gulf on Saturday morning hours after it became tropical depression the National Hurricane Center.
Manatee and Sarasota counties are currently in threat from Tropical Storm Milton.
- Tropical Storm Milton is forecast to become Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph before it makes landfall.
- Manatee and Sarasota counties are directly in storm forecast track.
- Landfall is expected on Wednesday.
- Governor Ron DeSantis has declared state of emergency before Milton for Sarasota Manatee and over 30 other counties.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has Know Your Zone map where you can type in address and find evacuation route.