Milton Set to Strengthen into a Major Hurricane by Monday, Heading Straight for Florida: Live Updates.hienca

SARASOTA, Fla. – Hurricane Milton intensified on Sunday, gaining hurricane status as it moved through the Gulf of Mexico, posing a threat to parts of the Florida Peninsula still reeling from Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.

Milton’s sustained winds reached 85 mph, with the National Hurricane Center indicating that the storm’s winds increased by 40 mph within just 15 hours. Further strengthening is anticipated over the next two days, with predictions suggesting Milton could escalate to a major hurricane by Monday, potentially impacting Florida’s west coast by Wednesday. A major hurricane is classified as at least a Category 3 storm, capable of winds between 111 to 129 mph and causing “devastating damage.”

In response to the growing threat, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expanded the state of emergency to 16 additional counties, bringing the total to 51 of Florida’s 67 counties under the directive. “A major hurricane is the most likely outcome,” DeSantis remarked. “This is not a good track for the state of Florida.”

Rainfall has already begun in some areas, with expected totals reaching 5 to 10 inches, and localized amounts up to 15 inches possible across the Florida Peninsula and the Keys through Wednesday night. This deluge poses risks of widespread minor to moderate river flooding, according to hurricane specialist Eric Blake.

While there remains uncertainty regarding Milton’s intensity and track, the National Hurricane Center emphasized that “a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will likely affect portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week.”

Key Developments:

• As of Sunday evening, Milton was located 780 miles west-southwest of Tampa, sustaining winds of 85 mph. The storm is currently moving east at 7 mph, but is expected to gain speed and shift to an east-northeast direction soon.
• This marks a historic occurrence with three hurricanes—Milton, Kirk, and Leslie—active in the Atlantic basin simultaneously after September, a first according to Phil Klotzbach, a research scientist at Colorado State University.
• The White House reported that President Joe Biden was briefed on the storm’s trajectory and potential impact on Florida, alongside FEMA’s preparations.
• Initial storm surge estimates suggest significant inundation risk for areas along Florida’s west coast, from south of Cedar Key to Everglades City.