Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 51 counties now as Tropical Storm Milton, which is expected to rapidly intensify into a major Cat 3, or 4 hurricane and target Florida's West Coast.
The growing threat of a major hurricane slamming into Florida's west coast is a rapidly growing concern in the sunshine state, with the possibility of Tropical Storm Milton causing devastating damage across the state a real possibility.
Hurricane Milton would be the third hurricane strike of the season in Florida, following Debby in August and Helene in September.
Tropical Storm Milton formed on Saturday afternoon, October. 6, and is expected to rapidly intensify into a hurricane by Sunday night, October 7, before growing into a major strom, possibly reaching category 3, or possibly 4 status, before make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Milton is forecast to bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to the west coast of Florida next week,making landfall near or south of the Tampa metro area, with the potential to tear through the I-4 corridor and into Orlando and beyond.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials held a news conference on Sunday morning and said evacuations are likely, and time is running out to prepare for the eventual hurricane’s potentially deadly impacts.
Residents and visitors are being urged to plan now and prepare for the possible impacts from the storm. Residents should be taking this time to check emergency kits and family plans.
Yesterday, Saturday, Gov. DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 35 of Florida's 67 counties, now today at a press conference Gov. DeSantis has increased this to 51 counties ahead of the major storms arrival.
The following counties are now under a state of emergency ahead of Milton:
Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union, and Volusia counties.
Gov. DeSantis assured the public that state officials closely monitoring are Tropical Storm Milton, which has the potential to become a devastating hurricane.and is urging residents and visitors to prepare.
He commented, "Current estimates forecast landfall sometime Wednesday afternoon—there is still time to prepare your homes, organize your disaster plan, and implement plans to keep yourself and your family safe."
"I urge Floridians to finalize your storm preparations now; enact your plan," Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said. "I highly encourage you to evacuate. We are preparing, and I have the State Emergency Response Team preparing, for the largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma."
The state is also mobilizing state assets to supplement local governments in an unprecedented debris removal mission for areas that suffered damage from Hurricane Helene and are currently in the projected path of Milton.
Local debris sites are open 24/7, and there is hundreds of personnel on the ground assisting in removal.
The National Hurricane Center is concerned about the potential impacts this storm could bring to Florida in the coming week, with the agency commenting, "Regardless of the exact details of the intensity forecast, an intense hurricane with multiple life-threatening hazards is likely to affect the west coast of the Florida Peninsula next week."
Here is the latest from the National Hurricane Center.
Milton is forecast to quickly intensify while it moves eastward to northeastward across the Gulf of Mexico and be a major hurricane when it reaches the west coast of the Florida Peninsula mid week. Users are reminded to not focus on the details of the forecast as there remains significant uncertainty in the eventual track andintensity of Milton.
While it is too soon to specify the exact magnitude and location of the greatest impacts, there is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches could be issued later
today or tonight. Residents in the Florida Peninsula should follow any advice given by local officials and check back for updates to the forecast.
Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida today and Monday well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to the system expected later on Tuesday through Wednesday night. This rainfall will bring the risk of flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with the potential of moderate to major river flooding.
Tropical storm conditions are expected beginning Monday across portions of the northern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico where a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect.
Here at Gotta Go Orlando we will keep you updated on the latest news as this dangerous storm continues to target Central Florida.
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