Major Hurricane Milton has exploded into a Category 4 storm ahead of potentially life-threatening Florida landfall, and with the latest forecast bringing the dangerous storm over Tampa and into Central Florida, SunRail is suspending services.
The growing threat of a major hurricane slamming into Florida's west coast is now a worryingly real prospect, and with the chances of the storm slamming into or near Tampa, causing devastating damage as it tears through the I-4 corridor increasing, it is expected that transport links will be severely affected.
Ahead of the strorm, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is suspending SunRail service beginning Tuesday, October 8, 2024. SunRail is expected to remain closed through at least Thursday, October 10, depending on the impact of the storm.
Crews will prepare the railway corridor and render it safe prior to the impending storm.
Preparations include:
Securing railroad gates at 129 railroad crossings on the 61.5-mile railway corridor, including the removal of longer railroad gates
Inspecting and storing the SunRail train fleet
Securing railroad equipment throughout the railway corridor
After the storm passes, and when conditions stabilize, a complete inspection of the entire railway corridor is necessary to assess the storm’s impact and to prepare the corridor to reinstate rail service for SunRail, as well as freight and Amtrak operations.
Restoration of service includes reinstalling gates, removal of any obstruction on the railroad tracks, and conducting safety inspections.
More information about hurricane safety for the SunRail system is available at https://sunrail.com/additional-services/hurricane-season/.
Hurricane Milton strengthened into a Category 2 Hurricane overnight and has exploded into a dangerous Category 4 Hurricane this morning.
There has been no change to the track and intensity forecast over Florida from earlier this morning, bringing 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 are now in effect for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula and residents in that area should follow any advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so.
Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida today 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 considerable flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with the potential for moderate to major river flooding.
The first Hurricane Watches have been posted along Florida’s west coast as millions of people across the region prepare for dangerous impacts from Hurricane Milton, such as a life-threatening storm surge, destructive winds and flooding rain.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Florida's Gulf Coast from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay.
A Storm Surge Watch was also issued for Florida's Gulf Coast from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay.
Tropical Storm Watches have also been issued for Florida's Gulf Coast.
Here in Central Florida county officials across the area are making urgent plans for the storm, school closures are being announced, shelters are opening, and more.
We urge you to stay informed and stay safe as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida.
Closures & Updates: Discover the latest closures and updates in Central Florida.
School Closure: Find out the latest school closures across Central Florida.
Shelter Locations: Find your nearest shelter in Central Florida.
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Yesterday, Sunday, 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.
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