Yahoo News Staff
Updated
Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified Monday morning, strengthening from a Category 4 into a dangerous Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of around 160 mph as it took aim at Florida’s Gulf Coast, which is still reeling from Helene’s record-breaking landfall just over a week ago. Millions are facing the prospect of evacuation as Milton gains steam along its path toward the Tampa Bay area, where it is expected to make landfall Wednesday evening.
Speaking at a press conference Monday alongside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the state’s director of emergency management, Kevin Guthrie, urged residents in the Tampa Bay area to evacuate.
“I beg you. I implore you,” Guthrie said. “Drowning deaths due to storm surge are 100% preventable if you leave.”
DeSantis said Monday that 51 counties in Florida are now under a state of emergency, and a pre-landfall declaration request has been made to FEMA for support in anticipation of the hurricane’s arrival.
Follow along below for live updates.
Live10 updates
Kate Murphy
Why the National Hurricane Center's scale stops at 5
Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthened to a Category 5 storm Monday, which means sustained winds are at 157 mph and higher and catastrophic damage will occur. But what if Milton keeps strengthening beyond that threshold?
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale currently consists of a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed and taking into account the potential for loss of life and material damage. The scale was developed in 1971 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Homer Simpson.
The News-Press reports:
According to the National Hurricane Center, Category 5 is already catastrophic and higher numbers aren't needed. Critics of the plan have also pointed out that the existence of higher numbers might cause people to dismiss warnings of "only" Category 1 hurricanes.
But the idea keeps coming up.
Read more from the News-Press here.
Katie Mather
National Hurricane Center issues 2 p.m. ET update on warnings across Mexico, Florida coast
As of 2 p.m. ET Monday, a hurricane warning is in effect for:
Celestun to Rio Lagartos, Mexico
A “hurricane warning” means hurricane conditions are expected within the area. Precautions and preparation for people and property should be completed.
A hurricane watch is in effect for:
Most of the western Gulf Coast of Florida, from Chokoloskee to the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay
Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche
Campeche to the south of Celestun
Dry Tortugas
Lake Okeechobee
A “hurricane watch” means hurricane conditions are possible within the areas and is usually issued 48 hours before the hurricane is anticipated to hit.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
Rio Lagartos to Cancun
Campeche to the south of Celestun
A “tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected in the areas within the next 36 hours.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for:
Florida’s Gulf Coast, from Flamingo to south of Chokoloskee
Florida’s Gulf Coast, from the Suwanee River to Indian Pass
Florida Keys, including Florida Bay
A “tropical storm watch” means tropical storm conditions are possible in the areas within the next 48 hours.
A storm surge watch is in effect for:
From Flamingo to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay
A “storm surge watch” means there’s a possibility of life-threatening flooding.
Katie Mather
Mandatory evacuations in effect for counties across Florida Gulf Coast
As of Monday morning, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has ordered evacuations for six Florida counties along the state’s west coast.
Mandatory evacuations are in effect for:
Charlotte County, especially in zones on the water along the Gulf, Charlotte Harbor and the Myakka and Peace rivers.
Hillsborough County
Pasco County, especially those living in low-lying areas or manufactured homes such as mobile homes or RVs.
Pinellas County and its residential health care facilities across three specific county zones.
Voluntary evacuations are in effect for:
Residents in Manatee County and Sarasota County are being told to start implementing an evacuation plan — whether it’s staying with a friend or family member on higher ground or completely leaving the area.
To figure out whether you live in an evacuation zone, click here.
Katie Mather
Hurricane Milton's intensity poses huge problem for Tampa Bay
Hurricane Milton's recent classification as a Category 5 storm makes it one of only 40 Category 5 hurricanes on record to form in the Atlantic. Its rapid escalation from Category 1 to Category 5 also makes it one of seven hurricanes to have ever intensified so drastically in 24 hours or less.
See AlsoMonday live updates: Hurricane watch issued for Tampa Bay as Milton strengthens to Cat 5 stormMilton is on course to be the first major hurricane to hit the Tampa Bay area in more than 100 years, the National Weather Service warned on Monday. The storm's current path suggests Milton could hit Tampa Bay by Wednesday evening.
Caitlin Dickson
Milton strengthens to Category 5
Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified from a Category 4 into a dangerous Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds of around 160 mph.
Colin Campbell
Florida residents scramble for supplies
Some stores in Central Florida have already begun running low on supplies like water and bread as local residents stock up to prepare for the storm.
Kate Murphy
President Biden orders FEMA assistance for Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton
On Monday, President Biden declared an emergency in Florida and ordered federal assistance to the state "due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Milton beginning on October 5, 2024, and continuing."
The declaration comes as residents in certain areas of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia are still reeling from Hurricane Helene's impact over a week ago.
Kate Murphy
Milton expected to become Category 5 hurricane later today
Milton is forecast to become a Category 5 hurricane later today, according to the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. ET update.
The storm is currently located about 720 miles southwest of Tampa, Fla., and is expected to become a large hurricane over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Portions of Florida will experience heavy rainfall starting today. Heavy rainfall associated with Milton is forecast to arrive later Tuesday through Wednesday night, with a risk of flash, urban and area flooding.
There's an increased risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula starting Tuesday night or early Wednesday.
Katie Mather
National Hurricane Center issues 11 a.m. ET update on watches and warnings across Mexico, Florida coast
As of 11 a.m. ET Monday, a hurricane watch is in effect for:
Most of the western Gulf Coast of Florida, from Chokoloskee to Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay
Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche
Campeche to the south of Celestun
Dry Tortugas
Lake Okeechobee
A “hurricane watch” means hurricane conditions are possible within the areas and is usually issued 48 hours before the hurricane is anticipated to hit.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for:
Florida’s Gulf Coast, from Flamingo to south of Chokoloskee
Florida’s Gulf Coast, from Suwanee River to Indian Pass
Florida Keys, including Florida Bay
A “tropical storm watch” means tropical storm conditions are expected in the areas within the next 36 hours.
A storm surge watch is in effect for:
From Flamingo to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay
A “storm surge watch” means there’s a possibility of life-threatening flooding.
Kate Murphy
Milton rapidly strengthens to Category 4 storm Monday morning
Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthened into a major Category 4 storm Monday morning, with sustained winds of around 150 mph, as it barreled its way toward Florida's Gulf Coast. The region is still in recovery mode after Hurricane Helene slammed into the Big Bend of the state as a Category 4 storm just over a week ago. Milton is expected to make landfall Wednesday evening.