Hurricane Milton strengthens to Cat. 4 storm
By Isabel Keane
Floridians were under urgent warnings to start their largest evacuation in nearly a decade as Hurricane Milton rapidly grew to a “life-threatening” Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds Monday, placing hundreds of thousands of residents still recovering from Helene at risk.
Milton is projected to make landfall Wednesday as a major hurricane, likely hitting near the heavily populated Tampa Bay area, the US National Hurricane Center said.
This graphic shows current watches and warnings in effect in Florida due to Hurricane Milton.
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This graphic shows current watches and warnings in effect in Florida due to Hurricane Milton.
FOX Weather
A resident boards up his windows in Palm Harbor, Florida, ahead of Hurricane Milton.
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A resident boards up his windows in Palm Harbor, Florida, ahead of Hurricane Milton.
Hurricane Watches have been posted along Florida’s west coast as millions of people across the region prepare for dangerous impacts from Hurricane Milton, such as a life-threatening storm surge, destructive winds and flooding rain.
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Hurricane watches have been posted along Florida’s west coast as millions of people across the region prepare for dangerous impacts from Hurricane Milton, such as a life-threatening storm surge, destructive winds and flooding rain.
Fox Weather
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Storm surge and hurricane watches were issued for Florida’s Gulf Coast as Milton “rapidly intensified” into a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, the hurricane center said.
Kevin Guthrie, the director of Florida’s emergency management division, urged residents to be prepared for the “largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma.”
“I highly encourage you to evacuate,” Guthrie said during a press conference.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also said that while it remains to be seen where Milton will strike, it’s clear the state is going to be hit hard.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Florida's Gulf Coast from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay.
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A hurricane watch is in effect for Florida’s Gulf Coast from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay.
NOAA
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials held a news conference on Sunday morning and said evacuations are likely, and time is running out to prepare for the hurricane's potentially deadly impacts.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials held a news conference on Sunday morning and said evacuations are likely, and time is running out to prepare for the hurricane’s potentially deadly impacts.
Fox Weather
With the latest advisory from the NHC, Milton is forecast to continue to rapidly intensify, reaching Category 4 strength by Tuesday before slightly weakening ahead of landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
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With the latest advisory from the NHC, Milton is forecast to continue to rapidly intensify, reaching Category 4 by Tuesday before slightly weakening ahead of landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
Fox Weather
Hurricane Watches posted in Florida as Milton continues to rapidly intensify in Gulf With the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Milton is forecast to continue to rapidly intensify, reaching Category 4 strength by Tuesday before slightly weakening ahead of landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
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Hurricane watches are posted in Florida as Milton continues to rapidly intensify in the Gulf.
Fox Weather
“You have time to prepare … be sure your hurricane preparedness plan is in place,” DeSantis said Sunday.
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“If you’re on that west coast of Florida, barrier islands, just assume you’ll be asked to leave.”
Even before Milton was upgraded Monday, it posed “an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge from Milton for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday,” the hurricane center had warned.
“Residents should follow any advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so,” the federal agency warned.
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