Hurricane Milton is projected to bring a monster storm to Florida’s west coast this week.
Hurricane warnings and evacuation orders are in effect for counties in and around Tampa Bay as Milton moves closer.
Milton strengthened to a Category 5 storm on Monday before weakening Tuesday to a Category 4. National Hurricane Center forecasters warned that the storm will likely remain a major hurricane and could even expand as it approaches Florida.
---> Live stream: Watch updates from Florida as Hurricane Milton approaches
When and where will Hurricane Milton make landfall?
Milton is expected to make landfall on Florida’s west coast late Wednesday. Forecasters said Tuesday that although it will likely fluctuate in intensity, Milton will remain “an extremely dangerous hurricane " through landfall.
As of Tuesday morning, Milton had winds of 150 mph (240 kph) and was centered about 520 miles (835 kilometers) southwest of Tampa.
What are the biggest Hurricane Milton concerns in Florida?
Florida’s entire Gulf Coast is especially vulnerable to storm surge.
Helene came ashore about 150 miles (240 kilometers) away from Tampa in the Florida Panhandle and still managed to cause drowning deaths in the Tampa area due to surges of around 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.5 meters) above normal tide levels.
Forecasters warned of a possible 10- to 15-foot (3- to 4.5-meter) storm surge in Tampa Bay. It is the highest surge ever predicted for that location and has led to evacuation orders for communities all along the coast.
The storm could also bring widespread flooding, with 5 inches to a foot (13 to 30 centimeters) of rain forecast for the Florida Peninsula, and even up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) in some places.
Are Florida airports closing for Hurricane Milton?
Tampa International Airport said it halted flights at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The airport posted on X that it is not a shelter for people or their cars.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport said it is in a mandatory evacuation zone and would close after the last flight leaves Tuesday.
---> An unusual hurricane season goes from ultra quiet to record busy and spawns Helene and Milton