TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Milton has slightly weakened to a Category 3 storm as it approaches Florida's west coast, the National Hurricane Center said. Now is the time to "rush to complete all preparations to protect life and property," the NHC said.
Milton came on the scene on Saturday as a tropical storm. Early Monday morning, Milton kicked off a rapid intensification starting as a Category 2 storm. It had waffled between Category 4 and 5 strength since Tuesday.
The NHC says landfall is expected to be sometime Wednesday night along the Gulf Coast.
As of the latest advisory, the storm is about 150 miles southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds at 125 mph. It is moving northeast at 17 mph.
"While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida," the NHC previously said.
A hurricane warning is in effect for:
- Florida west coast from Bonita Beach northward to Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay
- Florida east coast from the St. Lucie/Martin County Line northward to Ponte Vedra Beach
A hurricane watch has been issued for the following:
- Dry Tortugas
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida west coast from Chokoloskee to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida east coast north of Ponte Vedra Beach to the mouth of the St. Marys River
- Florida east coast from the St. Lucie/Martin County Line to the Palm Beach/Martin County Line
A tropical storm warning is in place for:
- Florida Keys, including Dry Tortugas and Florida Bay
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida west coast from Flamingo to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida west coast from north of Suwanee River to Indian Pass
- Florida east coast south of the St. Lucie/Martin County Line to Flamingo
- North of Ponte Vedra Beach Florida to the Savannah River
- Extreme northwestern Bahamas, including Grand Bahama Island, the Abacos, and Bimini
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the following:
- North of the Savannah River to South Santee River South Carolina
A storm surge warning is in effect for:
- Florida west coast from Flamingo northward to Yankeetown, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay
- Sebastian Inlet Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia, including the St. Johns River
The Tampa Bay area has the potential to see 10 to 15 feet of storm surge, but this is highly dependent on the track. A slight shift in the landfall south of Tampa Bay would result in lower surge totals.
Rainfall from Milton is expected to range between 5-12 inches with localized totals up to 18 inches across portions of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys through Wednesday night. That rainfall will bring risks of flash, urban and areal flooding along with minor to moderate river flooding, according to NHC.
With a front sinking in from the north, the areas prone to seeing most of the rain will exist along and south of I-4. Coastal areas should pay close attention to the forecast and have a way to receive alerts in case a flash flood warning is to be issued.
By Wednesday, Hurricane Milton's impacts will also include storm surge and damaging winds. Keep checking back for updates.
Our 10 Tampa Bay Weather team will continue to monitor any development and keep you informed, prepared and connected through the rest of hurricane season.