Hurricane Milton is poised to make a devastating landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast early Thursday morning. As a massive Category 5 storm, it’s expected to maintain hurricane strength throughout its trek across the state. While the exact landfall location is uncertain, forecasters warn that a wide swath of the region, including Tampa Bay, faces significant risks.
Milton’s wind speeds currently exceed 160 mph, but some weakening is anticipated as it encounters wind shear. However, this is unlikely to prevent a major impact. The storm’s projected path stretches from Tarpon Springs to Port Charlotte, and residents along the entire Gulf coast are urged to prepare for a catastrophic storm surge of over 10 feet.
Following landfall, Milton is expected to track inland towards Orlando and exit the east coast between Port Orange and Port St. Lucie. A hurricane warning is in effect for the entire central part of Florida.
Even outside of the direct impact zone, much of central Florida is at risk of flash flooding, destructive winds, and potential tornadoes. The threat from Hurricane Milton is severe, and residents must take immediate action to protect themselves and their property.