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Hurricane Milton has been downgraded to a Category 4 storm after fluctuating between Categories 4 and 5, and is moving across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, where millions have been ordered to evacuate. Less than two weeks after Helene impacted the southern United States, Milton is expected to make landfall as “a dangerous major hurricane,” according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Florida meteorologist John Morales became emotional while providing updates on Milton during an NBC affiliate WTVJ telecast on Monday, October 7. “Incredible, incredible hurricane,” Morales began, pausing momentarily. “It has dropped 50 millibars in 10 hours,” he added, tears welling in his eyes. “I apologize — this is just horrific,” he said.
Here’s everything you need to know about the storm’s current expected impact.
Where will Milton make landfall?
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in the Manatee Couty/Sarasota County area on central Florida’s west coast, give or take 50 miles north or south, according to Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa, who also advised people not to concentrate on where it could make landfall.
ANKARA, TURKIYE – OCTOBER 8: An infographic titled “Milton strengthens into powerful Category 5 hurricane” created in Ankara, Turkiye on October 8, 2024. (Photo by Yasin Demirci/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“We’re telling people not to focus on the exact center because as the system makes landfall, the eye is going to be getting larger, and the wind field is going to be expanding,” Davis said. “Even if you’re not directly in the path, the effects will be felt far and wide at the point of landfall.”
KNOW YOUR ZONE 🧠: Go ahead and look up your evacuation zone now so you know what to do if evacuation orders are issued. During times of high demand, the system may experience technical difficulties.
Note: this is not the same as a Flood Zone.
🔗https://t.co/ikpK2AjqVz pic.twitter.com/cnrGwFIzh0
— City of Tampa (@CityofTampa) October 5, 2024
What Can Residents Expect from the Storm?
Residents should prepare for heavy rainfall, with amounts ranging from 5 to 12 inches statewide, and potentially up to 18 inches in central to northern areas of the Florida Peninsula. The National Hurricane Center has urgently advised that residents prepare for prolonged power outages and take measures to “protect life and property.” Additionally, the storm poses a significant risk of “life-threatening” flooding.
⚠️WARNING from #Tampa Mayor Jane Castor: “I can say this without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die.”
If you are told to evacuate, LEAVE. #Milton
— Dena Grayson, MD, PhD (@DrDenaGrayson) October 8, 2024
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued a stark warning to those who haven’t evacuated: “If you’re in a single-story house and we get a 15-foot surge, the water will come in immediately, and there’s nowhere to go. That home will ultimately become a coffin.”
She also bluntly stated that residents remaining in an evacuation area risk their lives, saying, “You’re going to die.”
