MIAMI (AP) — The storm system in the Gulf of Mexico that formed into Tropical Storm Milton on Saturday is strengthening, will intensify into a major hurricane and slam into the west coast of Florida later this week.
NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft found the storm gaining intensity Sunday morning. At 11 a.m. Tropical Storm Milton is packing 65 mph sustained winds, located about 835 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, heading east at 6 mph.
“Milton moving slowly but expected to strengthen rapidly,” the National Hurricane Center said, noting a “risk of life-threatening impacts increasing for portions of the Florida west coast.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis increased the state of emergency Sunday morning to include 54 counties ahead of the storm’s potential landfall. Local counties include Citrus, Marion, Putnam and Sumter counties. Since many of those counties are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, DeSantis asked the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Transportation to coordinate all available resources and personnel to supplement local communities as they expedite debris removal.
The government of Mexico has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the coast of Mexico from Celestun to Cabo Catoche, and a Tropical Storm Watch from East of Cabo Catoche to Cancun. No Florida watches or warnings have yet been issued, but interests in the state and the Bahamas should closely monitor Milton's progress.
Milton is forecast to strengthen and bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to parts of Florida, with hurricane and storm-surge watches likely in effect later Sunday. Parts of the state are expected to have heavy rainfall early this week, threatening flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with some river flooding.
Tropical Tidbits
The storm is expected to become a major hurricane before landfall, and should maintain hurricane strength as the center exits Florida into the Atlantic Ocean.
“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning late Tuesday or Wednesday. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, follow any advice given by local officials, and check back for updates to the forecast,” the center said.
