( Fox )
The explosive intensification of Hurricane Milton continues after the potentially life-threatening system strengthened into a Category 4 storm with winds of 150 mph as Florida braces for a deadly storm surge, destructive winds and flooding rain this week.
According to the NHC, maximum sustained winds within Milton could increase to 155 mph, which is only 2 mph shy of Category 5 strength.
And as the potentially deadly storm continues on its path toward Florida, millions of people across the region are preparing for life-threatening impacts such as a deadly storm surge, destructive winds and flooding rain.
Hurricane Watches, Tropical Storm Watches and Storm Surge Watches have all been issued along Florida’s Gulf Coast, and those are expected to be upgraded as the storm moves closer to the Sunshine State.
And while residents are preparing, thousands are also fleeing the coast as officials call for voluntary and mandatory evacuations ahead of the storm.
The Hurricane Watches were issued along Florida’s Gulf Coast from about the Cedar Key area southward to Naples, including Tampa and Fort Myers.
Tropical Storm Watches were also issued for the Florida Keys, as well as for Gulf Coast communities from Flamingo to south of Chokoloskee and from north of the Suwanee River to Indian Pass.
A Storm Surge Watch has also been issued along Florida's Gulf Coast, and that is in effect from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay.
The current storm surge forecast for Tampa Bay is between 8 and 12 feet if the peak surge coincides with high tide. This is notably higher than during Helene, when Tampa Bay saw 7-8 feet of storm surge.
"The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the south of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves," the NHC warned.
Florida officials urge residents to evacuate ahead of Milton
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials held a news conference on Sunday and said evacuations are likely, and time is running out to prepare for the hurricane's potentially deadly impacts.
"I urge Floridians to finalize your storm preparations now; enact your plan," Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said. "I highly encourage you to evacuate. We are preparing, and I have the State Emergency Response Team preparing, for the largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma."
If Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida, it will be the third to do so this season following the landfalls of Debby in August and Helene in September.
The situation has been rapidly unfolding, with forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) first designating the storm as Tropical Depression Fourteen early Saturday morning, then hours later issuing a special alert announcing the development of Tropical Storm Milton. About 24 hours later, Milton intensified into a hurricane early Sunday afternoon.
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. However, forecasters warn that Milton will likely still strike Florida as a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher).
Gov. Ron DeSantis declares State of Emergency ahead of Milton
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency for dozens of counties on Saturday, but as the forecast for Hurricane Milton began to become more dire, he amended that order to include 51 of the state’s 67 counties.
"This is allowing state officials to operate without the limitations of bureaucracy, making critical resources available to communities ahead of any potential storm impacts," DeSantis said on Sunday.
While residents continue to prepare for the potentially deadly impacts of Hurricane Milton, the state, too, is "preparing for the worst while hoping for the best."Gov. Ron DeSantis declares State of Emergency ahead of Milton
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency for dozens of counties on Saturday, but as the forecast for Hurricane Milton began to become more dire, he amended that order to include 51 of the state’s 67 counties.
"This is allowing state officials to operate without the limitations of bureaucracy, making critical resources available to communities ahead of any potential storm impacts," DeSantis said on Sunday.
While residents continue to prepare for the potentially deadly impacts of Hurricane Milton, the state, too, is "preparing for the worst while hoping for the best."
DeSantis said the state has already sent high-water rescue vehicles to Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, and more resources will be sent to counties at risk of seeing impacts from Hurricane Milton.
"The Florida National Guard, the Florida State Guard additional FDOT personnel and the Florida Highway Patrol have been activated and deployed to aid in debris removal and provide logistical support to local entities," DeSantis said.
More than 800 guardsmen are currently deployed to remove debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and DeSantis said up to 4,000 guardsmen will soon be available for time-sensitive debris removal.
Evacuations ordered, schools closedEvacuations ordered, schools closed
As Hurricane Milton's impacts approach Florida, officials have started to order evacuations and close schools so people have time to prepare and get away from the coast and other low-lying areas.
DeSantis and Guthrie have urged people to learn if they're in an evacuation zone and be prepared to act.
"Know your evacuation zone," DeSantis warned. "There will be voluntary and mandatory evacuations in effect in a number of communities throughout the state of Florida. If you're on the west coast of Florida and barrier islands, just assume that you likely are going to be called upon to evacuate."
Some evacuations have also been ordered for portions of Pinellas and Manatee counties, and more are expected.
In addition, schools in the region, including those in Southwest and Central Florida, have decided to close this week because of the anticipated hurricane.
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