AccuWeather meteorologists are issuing urgent warnings as Hurricane Milton intensifies and approaches the Florida Gulf Coast, posing an extreme threat to lives and property. The storm is expected to bring catastrophic impacts, including 10-15 feet of storm surge, 120-140 mph wind gusts, and more than two feet of rain in some areas. Milton has been rated a 4 on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale, signaling widespread flooding, severe structural damage, and life-threatening conditions.
“Milton may be a historic, once-in-a-lifetime storm for Floridians,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. “This storm has the potential to become one of Florida’s most damaging and costly hurricanes, particularly along the Gulf Coast and the I-4 corridor from Tampa to Orlando.”
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AccuWeather experts warn that Milton is likely to intensify into a powerful hurricane due to the exceptionally warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, with little wind shear to inhibit its growth. The storm is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, with areas like Tampa Bay facing extreme storm surge, destructive winds, and significant flooding.
“Slight variations in Milton’s track could have major consequences for different parts of Florida,” Porter explained. “If Milton tracks just north of Tampa, storm surges of up to 20 feet could occur in parts of Tampa Bay, resulting in catastrophic damage.”
Worsening Disaster Response Milton’s arrival comes at a time when many Florida communities are still recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. Helene caused record storm surges and significant damage to coastal areas, particularly in Tampa Bay. The damage left behind by Helene, combined with Milton’s expected impact, is a recipe for disaster.
Read: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Urges Prep Ahead Of Tropical Storm Milton’s Landfall
“Helene’s damage was bad enough, but the impact of another major hurricane so soon after could strain disaster response resources and make recovery efforts even more difficult,” Porter added.
Tornadoes, Flooding, and Extended Power Outages AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva emphasized the need for immediate evacuation in areas under threat.
“The storm surge threat from Milton is life-threatening, potentially worse than what many experienced during Helene,” DaSilva said. “Rescues will be incredibly dangerous, if not impossible, during the storm. If you’re told to evacuate, please do so.”
AccuWeather is also predicting widespread power outages across the Florida Peninsula, with wind gusts of 60-80 mph across much of the state and peak gusts reaching 120-140 mph near the storm’s center. Tornadoes are also a possibility as the storm moves inland.
Read: Hillsborough County Declares State Of Emergency For Tropical Storm Milton
Rainfall and Storm Surge Milton is forecasted to bring 4-8 inches of rain across much of Florida, with some areas seeing totals up to 12 inches and localized AccuWeather Local StormMax™ amounts of 30 inches. Coastal areas still vulnerable from Helene’s impact may face 10-15 feet of storm surge, particularly in the Tampa Bay region, with catastrophic flooding expected.
DaSilva added, “This is a storm surge event that no one in Tampa has seen in their lifetime. The exceptionally warm waters in the Gulf will provide even more energy for this storm to intensify.”
Prepare for Historic Impacts AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham urged residents in the path of Milton to take the storm seriously and prepare for potentially historic impacts.
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“In recorded history, only four hurricanes have made landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast between Sarasota and Palm Harbor, with the last one occurring in 1946,” Buckingham noted. “Tampa Bay could see storm surge levels far beyond what we’ve seen in recent decades.”
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