NBC6 Hurricane Specialist John Morales looks at the latest advisory on Hurricane Milton at 11 p.m. on Oct. 8.
What to Know
- Hurricane Milton slightly weakened to Category 4 storm early Tuesday but later regained Category 5 status on its path toward Florida
- The storm could weaken back to Category 3 before it makes landfall as early as Wednesday on the west coast of Florida, NBC News forecasters said
- Milton had maximum sustained winds of around 160 mph and was moving northeast about 405 miles southwest of Tampa, the National Hurricane Center said in the latest bulletin
- Tampa Bay is under both a hurricane warning and a storm surge warning, as the National Hurricane Center forecasts that it could be inundated with between 10 and 15 feet of storm surge
- The NHC said the storm surge threat was a "life-threatening situation"
- The Florida Keys, Miami-Dade and Broward counties were under a tropical storm warning. Flood watches remain in effect in South Florida. See all severe weather alerts here
Hurricane Milton weakened slightly but later rebounded in intensity Tuesday as it continued on a path toward Florida's Gulf coast as an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm, forecasters said.
“Today is the last full day for Florida residents to get their families and homes ready and evacuate if told to do so,” the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Tuesday.
Hurricane Milton's latest track
By Steve MacLaughlin
A look at the latest track for Hurricane Milton as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.
The new forecast from the National Hurricane Center no longer calls for the hurricane to strike as a Category 3. It is forecast to hit Florida as a Category 4 cyclone.
Milton remains a Cat. 5 hurricane as winds decrease slightly to 160 mph
By NBC6
Milton remained a dangerous Category 5 hurricane as its winds decreased slightly to 160 mph, the National Hurricane Center said late Tuesday.
The storm was now moving northeast at 12 mph about 405 miles southwest of Tampa, according to the 11 p.m. update from the NHC.
It also looks like #Milton is really starting to feel that tug from the dip in the jet stream entering the northern Gulf. That northeast turn looks like more than just a wobble as the hurricane passed 23°N and 87°W. Cancún radar via @BMcNoldy at @um_rsmas. #HurricaneMilton pic.twitter.com/PePB21lBzb
— John Morales (@JohnMoralesTV) October 9, 2024
South Florida wind concerns from Hurricane Milton
By Steve MacLaughlin
South Florida can expect the bull's eye of tropical storm conditions from late Wednesday afternoon through early Thursday afternoon from Milton.
For southern areas, this will be more squally. From Miami and north, there could be sustained tropical storm winds during this time.
‘Preparing for the worst': Tampa Bay residents make final preps ahead of Milton
By Niko Clemmons
People across Tampa Bay were making last minute preparations before Hurricane Milton hits the area on Tuesday. That includes filling up the gas tank.
People across Tampa Bay were making last minute preparations before Hurricane Milton hits the area on Tuesday. That includes filling up the gas tank.
“I've been on E the last two days because I live in Clearwater and on the way back last night it was nothing,” Rebecca Duffey said.
Many gas stations ran out of fuel Tuesday and if you found one, you likely had to wait in line.
“I'm going to take every drop I can get,” Bob Jennewein said.
Florida Dept. of Transportation activates temporary EV charging stations
By NBC6
Looking at the storm surge warning for Milton
By Steve MacLaughlin
A storm surge warning stretches from Cedar Key to the southern tip of Mainland Monroe County for Hurricane Milton.
Within this area, the worst storm surge will be around Tampa Bay stretching south to Fort Myers, all dependent on the exact landfall position.
The Florida Keys have a coastal flood warning for 1 to 3 feet of surge, keeping them below the criteria for the storm surge warning.
The next two high tides for Tampa are Wednesday and Thursday mornings. For Key West, high tide is overnight the next two mornings.
‘We tried to rebuild': Still recovering from Ian, Fort Myers prepares for Milton
By Christian Colón
It’s been two years since Hurricane Ian plowed through Fort Myers, washed away homes, and ripped piers apart. Now, as Hurricane Milton approaches, locals fear history could repeat itself.
It’s been two years since Hurricane Ian plowed through Fort Myers, washed away homes, and ripped piers apart. Now, as Hurricane Milton approaches, locals fear history could repeat itself.
"We tried to rebuild everything and clean everything up," said Katalina May, a Fort Myers resident. "Just for another storm to come back within two years. It's very sad, very worried, very concerned."
Lee County along with surrounding counties have issued mandatory evacuation orders for multiple zones. As of Tuesday, the county opened 13 emergency shelters at local schools. Residents were encouraged to be in a safe location by Tuesday night.
Thousands chose to drive away from the area and head North or East. Video captured by NBC6 showed bumper-to-bumper traffic throughout the day on Alligator Alley.
Milton landfall could come Wednesday night into Thursday morning
By Steve MacLaughlin
Hurricane Milton's landfall could come late Wednesday or possibly Thursday morning, depending on where it tracks.
Models have been very consistent with the Tampa area for landfall, but have wobbled ever-so-slightly to the south.
This means Tampa could have devastating wind, but the storm surge concerns really ramp up from the Bay south all the way to Fort Myers.
NOAA reconnaissance flights to release drones in Milton
By Ryan Phillips
In scheduled reconnaissance missions, NOAA Hurricane Hunter flights will release uncrewed aircraft within Milton Wednesday.
The small aircraft will safely collect low-level information from Milton for research and operational purposes. This data can be used in real-time by forecasters at the National Hurricane Center.
One flight will occur in the morning while another takes place later in the afternoon. The unit will be released from the belly of the NOAA aircraft to fly for 60 to 90 minutes, all while being controlled remotely.
Photos: Florida gets ready for Hurricane Milton
Pets find foster homes in South Florida head of Hurricane Milton
By NBC6
As residents continued to prepare for Hurricane Milton, furry friends were not being left behind.
As residents continued to prepare for Hurricane Milton, furry friends were not being left behind.
Hundreds of people lined up at an animal shelter in Medley, ready to clear out the shelter ahead of the storm.
In less than two days, over 160 dogs found foster homes, giving them a safe and dry place to ride out the storm. Other shelters in Doral were also clearing out.
Miami-Dade Animal Services said the goal is to keep kennels empty.
How Milton's exact landfall spot determines the impacts
By Steve MacLaughlin
The "Cone Of Concern" or "Forecast Cone" is where there is a two out of three chance of the center of the storm going.
The biggest impacts are along or to the right side of forward motion. For this reason, the center track of Hurricane Milton would be very bad for Tampa, but not as bad as the northern track, which would be worst case for Tampa Bay surge.
There simply is no way Fort Myers can escape surge, just a matter of if they are closer to the winds.
Spaghetti plot for Hurricane Milton homing in just south of Tampa
By Steve MacLaughlin
The Spaghetti Plot shows how our models have been trending ever-so-slightly south for Hurricane Milton.
This slight southern wobble could be the difference between really bad weather for Tampa Bay and absolutely devastating weather for Tampa Bay.
This amplifies the surge threat for Fort Myers and the wind threat for areas just south of Tampa.
Milton remains a dangerous Cat. 5 hurricane with winds near 165 mph and higher gusts
By NBC6
Milton remained a dangerous Category 5 hurricane Tuesday night with winds near 165 mph and higher gusts, forecasters said.
The hurricane was moving east-northeast at 10 mph about 440 miles southwest of Tampa, according to the 8 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Fort Lauderdale's bridges being locked down ahead of Milton
By NBC6
Damage in Yucatán, Mexico, ‘wasn't of a large magnitude,' governor says
By Daniella Silva | NBC News
‘No way I'm doing that again': Hurricane Milton evacuees flock to South Florida
By Ari Odzer
South Florida is hosting people from other parts of the state who evacuated for Hurricane Milton. NBC6’s Ari Odzer reports.
If there are hotel rooms available, they will fill them. Hurricane Milton’s refugees are pouring into South Florida to escape the monstrous storm.
Jean Lamere brought what she could from her home in Fort Myers, having learned the lesson from Hurricane Ian’s destruction a couple of years ago.
“I know from Ian that the street that I’m on will be flooded probably for a week, so it doesn’t make sense to stay in a place where one, it’s dangerous, and two, there are no resources,” Lamere said, agreeing that it’s better to check into a hotel in Davie.
“I live on a canal over there so the flood water’s gonna come up, they’re talking six to ten feet," said Tom Piatkowski.
Helene debris removal efforts continue around-the-clock ahead of Milton: DeSantis
By Associated Press
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed to continue around-the-clock efforts to pick up debris from Hurricane Helene until it’s no longer safe to do so as Hurricane Milton approaches.
In a Tuesday afternoon briefing in Ocala, the governor said Florida Department of Transportation crews had just removed more than 1,300 truckloads of debris in just over 48 hours, which DeSantis called "a huge, huge amount."
Getty ImagesThe cleanup effort is key to sparing communities more damage, DeSantis said.
“We’ve made a huge dent in this,” he said. “The more debris we can get picked up, the less damage that’s going to happen, whether that’s floating into the Gulf of Mexico, whether it’s projectiles that go into other buildings.”
Milton's speed will be a factor in Central Florida
By Ryan Phillips
We often mention the forward speed of a hurricane or tropical storm. Not only is it important for estimating the arrival time, it's also a helpful measure to know how long a storm will impact a given area.
In the case of a hurricane, the slower it moves, the longer duration of impacts that an area will feel. Therefore, it's always helpful when storms march swiftly ahead.
That was the case a few weeks ago as Helene made landfall in Taylor County, Florida. At a speedy 24 mph, the hurricane quickly moved inland.
The forecast for Hurricane Milton however would, roughly, put the hurricane in the range of a forward speed of 10-12 mph across Central Florida. The hurricane's size and intensity are a very meaningful part of the forecast, but the duration of the battering winds inland will be dramatic, aside from the expected 10 to 15 feet of storm surge near the storm's landfall point on the Gulf Coast.
As Milton approaches, construction cranes in St. Petersburg are a concern
By Associated Press
Highrise buildings are seen past a marina in St. Petersburg, Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall in the middle of this week on October 8, 2024. Storm-battered Florida girded Tuesday for a direct hit from Hurricane Milton, a monster weather system threatening catastrophic damage and forcing President Joe Biden to postpone a major overseas trip. (Photo by Bryan R. SMITH / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)
In St. Petersburg, the mayor is concerned about how some giant construction cranes will fare, as there was no time to lower the machines ahead of time.
“Due to Milton’s rapid intensification and potential wind speeds, there is a risk related to some of the construction cranes that are operating in our city,” Mayor Kenneth Welch said at a Tuesday briefing.
The cranes susceptible to high winds are at four construction sites and “residents near those four construction sites are at risk for those cranes malfunctioning during the storm,” Welch said.
Since there wasn’t enough time to take the cranes down, they will be placed in a “weather vane” position, which is the safest one during a storm, he said.
Officials give price gouging warning ahead of Hurricane Milton
By Sasha Jones
Federal and state officials are looking into dozens of reports of price gouging as people try to evacuate areas that will be impacted by Hurricane Milton.
Essentials like water, gas, and lumber have become hot commodities as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida and as people scramble to prepare, federal and state officials are warning of reports of price gouging.
According to the Office of the Florida Attorney General, the state’s price gouging hotline has received 200 complaints, mostly related to fuel and water and coming from Highlands, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
In Miami-Dade County, officials are offering their own warning.
“If you suspect that there is price gouging there is an easy way to capture that information, take a picture of the receipt, take a picture of the price, take a picture of the sign, invoices, and bills,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said at a Tuesday press conference.
Fleeing Milton: ‘The people who never leave are leaving'
By NBC staff
Local residents are reuniting with loved ones who recently evacuated from Florida before Hurricane Milton hits the state. Transportation Reporter Adam Tuss reports.
Florida residents who reunited with loved ones in Washington, D.C. expressed major concerns ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall.
"My family is pretty scared," Florida resident Darien Davis said. "I've lived in Florida my whole life and I hadn't really heard too much complaining about hurricanes until this one."
USGS warns of beach overwash from Hurricane Milton
By Ryan Phillips
The United States Geologic Survey is estimating that Hurricane Milton’s waves and surge will have the potential to cause 95 percent of all ocean-facing beaches on Florida's west coast to experience erosion and overwash.
Overwash occurs when water levels exceed the tops of coastal dunes, which can allow sand to be deposited inland, far removed from the beach.
In addition to the threat of devastating storm surge that will be monitored by the USGS, they have also deployed numerous sensors to measure it. Usually attached to bridges or piers, the sensors are temporarily installed to take the storm's measurements and then retrieved for analysis.
White House ‘in touch' with airlines as Helene, Milton spark price gouging fears
By Rebecca Picciotto | CNBC
Small plane carrying people trying to evacuate for Milton crashes into Tampa Bay
By Associated Press
Georgia declares state of emergency for Hurricane Milton
By Denise Chow | NBC News
See the damage from Hurricane Milton in Mexico
Hurricane Milton landed on the Mexican Caribbean coast on Tuesday, bringing strong winds that knocked down trees and disrupted power lines across Quintana Roo.
Fort Myers woman and dog seek refuge in Broward County to dodge Milton's wrath
Jean Lamere brought what she could from Fort Myers and got out of Hurricane Milton's way. She is among many evacuees from Florida's west coast who are filling up hotels in Broward County.
"I know from [Hurricane] Ian that the street that I'm on will be flooded probably for a week, so it doesn't make sense to stay in place where one, it's dangerous, and two, there are now resources," said Lamere.
She was able to make it out along with her dog.
Hurricane Milton regains Category 5 strength, winds back up to 165 mph
By NBC6
Hurricane Milton regained Category 5 strength with winds back up to 165 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. Tuesday update.
Milton was moving north-northeast at 9 mph about 480 miles southwest of Tampa, according to the NHC.
Hurricane Milton regained Category 5 strength with winds back up to 165 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. Tuesday update.
Milton was moving north-northeast at 9 mph about 480 miles southwest of Tampa, according to the NHC.
Milton's intensity has rebounded—big time. Back up to a Category 5️⃣ cyclone with winds of 165 miles per hour (270 km/hr) as it starts to make its way towards #Florida. The wind field has expanded after the eyewall replacement cycle last night. #HurricaneMilton #MiltonFlorida pic.twitter.com/6bmbSEpURv
— John Morales (@JohnMoralesTV) October 8, 2024
Tri-Rail suspends service for Wednesday and Thursday for Milton
By NBC6
Photo: Miami residents prepare for Milton
Residents fill bags with sand to divert floodwaters, as they prepare for Hurricane Milton
Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesDisney World theme parks and entertainment complex will close Wednesday afternoon
By NBC6
Guests at the Magic Kingdom break out ponchos at Cinderella Castle as bands of weather from Hurricane Helene move through Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, on Sept. 26, 2024.
The Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs will close due to Hurricane Milton, park officials said.
The areas will be closed in phases beginning at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, when Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will close.
Magic Kingdom park, EPCOT and Disney Springs will close at 2:00 PM.
It is likely the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, October 10, but they may consider opening Disney Springs on Thursday in the late afternoon, with limited offerings.
Comcast offering free WiFi hotspots in Florida to everyone
Biden pledges federal support to Florida ‘before, during and after' Hurricane Milton
Miami-Dade College will suspend classes Wednesday and Thursday
Miami Heat postpones preseason game against Atlanta Hawks ahead of Hurricane Milton
Miami-Dade Public Schools to now close Wednesday and Thursday
By NBC6
Universal Orlando Resort to close parks ahead of Milton's approach
WATCH: Florida Aquarium moves feathered residents to higher ground
Hurricane Milton's intensity rebounds in NHC's 2 p.m. advisory
The National Hurricane Center released its 2 p.m. advisory as Hurricane Milton nears Florida's west coast. Milton remains a category 4, with sustained winds slightly increasing to 155 mph. Hurricane hunters found that Milton's intensity had rebounded.
The NHC says Tuesday is the final full day for residents to prepare their families and homes and evacuate if they are told to do so. At 2 p.m., Milton is located 125 miles northeast of Progeso, Mexico and about 520 miles southwest of Tampa.
Watches and warnings issued earlier Tuesday remain in place. The next complete advisory will be issued at 5 p.m.
Florida officials warn of flesh-eating bacteria in floodwaters
By Gabriella Rudy | NBC News
A rare species of so-called “flesh-eating” bacteria found in raw shellfish or seawater has been linked to five deaths in Florida this year.
The Florida Health Department is urging people to avoid floodwaters to prevent exposure to Vibrio, a flesh-eating bacteria, in anticipation of flooding from Hurricane Milton.
Vibrio bacteria are commonly found in warm coastal waters and can cause illness when open wounds are exposed to contaminated water. After heavy rainfall and flooding, like that expected from Milton, the concentration of these bacteria may rise.
Those who have compromised immune systems, liver disease or open wounds are at higher risk for Vibrio vulnificus, a life-threatening infection caused by Vibrio exposure.
Restored Lake Okeechobee dike gives residents confidence as Milton looms large
By Tony Pipitone
A nearly $1.8 billion 18-year effort to restore the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee is giving residents who live around it confidence that it will be able to a handle whatever Hurricane Milton may have to offer, as the US Army Corps of Engineers says it is "safer today than it has ever been going into a storm."
As of this morning, water level in Lake O is around 15.5 feet above sea level, down from its 2024 peak of 16.33 feet in mid-February -- low enough for now that the Corps says will not be releasing water through its network of canals and pumps before the storm hits.
Rainfall over and north of the lake (as is expected with Milton) causes water to rise gradually over weeks, as it drains south from Osceola County through the Chain of Lakes and Kissimmee River. Hurricane Ian (October 2022) added 3.33 feet and Hurricane Irma (September 2017) added 3 feet of lake level in the weeks after those storms passed.
The Corps tried to keep its maximum lake water level below 17.25 feet, so there’s 1.75 feet to spare right now (this is feet above sea level – not depth of the lake). If lake levels are projected to rise above what the Corps considers its ideal maximum, it can always release water into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers, something it has tried to minimize in recent years as the discharges are blamed for causing algae blooms in estuaries fed by the rivers.
‘You can't get another life': Tampa evacuees heed warnings to leave ahead of Milton
By Julia Bagg
Residents are bracing for a direct hit from Milton, which is expected to arrive as a major hurricane in the overnight hours between Wednesday and Thursday. NBC6’s Julia Bagg reports from Tampa.
A sense of calm determination could be felt in Tampa Bay on Tuesday, as families readied their cars to head out of the path of Hurricane Milton.
Many wasted no time, gassing up before dawn and making plans to evacuate or ride out the storm with family.
"You can get another house and material things," resident Dorothy Authur said. "You can't get another life."
On the heels of Helene, sandbags are back up in downtown Tampa and gas canisters are going home, as residents are stunned to be facing another storm so soon.
SeaWorld Orlando announces closures as Hurricane Milton makes its way to Florida
1-3 day rainfall forecast due to Milton
Tropical-storm-force wind speed probabilities due to Hurricane Milton
Miami-Dade mobile home residents evacuate after voluntary order
Newlywed couple takes photo in front of iconic Southernmost Point Buoy ahead of Milton
By Ana Cuervo
A newlywed couple took a photo in front of the iconic Southernmost Point Buoy in Key West ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall.
Florida airports close and flights are cancelled due to Hurricane Milton
By NBC6
Several airports are asking travelers to check directly with airlines to ensure that flights have not been canceled before arriving at the airport. NBC6’s Bri Buckley reports.
Several Florida airports have closed due to Hurricane Milton and will not reopen until safe to do.
They are asking travelers to check directly with airlines to ensure that flights have not been canceled before arriving at the airport.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is closed and will reopen when safe to do so. It is not a hurricane shelter.
St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) will close after its last flight departs on Tuesday and all flights have been cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday.
FEMA issues ‘life or death' evacuation warning ahead of Hurricane Milton
Tampa International Airport suspends operations and will be closed due to Milton
WATCH: NASA astronaut shares remarkable view of Hurricane Milton from space
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick shared a timelapse of Hurricane Milton from aboard the International Space Station.
Traffic on I-75 in Wilwood as people evacuate ahead of Milton
Lines of cars took to Interstate 75 as Floridians left the area ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall.
Florida Health Dept. urges people to avoid floodwaters to prevent exposure to flesh-eating bacteria
By NBC6
The Florida Department of Health is urging people to avoid floodwaters to prevent exposure to Vibrio, a flesh-eating bacteria, in anticipation of flooding from Hurricane Milton.
Vibrio bacteria are commonly found in warm coastal waters and can cause illness when open wounds are exposed to contaminated water.
After heavy rainfall and flooding, like that expected from Milton, the concentration of these bacteria may rise.
Trash, furniture and debris remain in Fort Myers Beach following the devastation caused by Helene
By Alejandro Isturiz
Trash, furniture, doors and windows have been piled up in front of Fort Myers Beach after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
This is dangerous, considering Hurricane Milton's strong winds.
Exodus in Florida as residents in Hurricane Milton's path warned to evacuate
By Christian Colón
The National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. advisory
How to prepare your home for a disaster ahead of Hurricane Milton
Did you know that, if your home is ever damaged or destroyed, your insurance company might require an item-by-item inventory?
Here’s how you can prepare your home for a disaster to ensure you get the coverage you need.
Where will Milton rank? These are the strongest hurricanes to make US landfall
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses the preparations the state is making as Hurricane Milton makes it approach to Florida.
Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida as a Category 4 storm with sustained maximum winds of around 155 mph. It is expected to weaken before it hits, likely becoming a strong Category 3 at the time of landfall.
Milton was a Category 5 hurricane before weakening to a Category 4 storm early Tuesday. Only two hurricanes of Category 5 strength have held that strength as they made landfall on the U.S. mainland.
Hurricane Katrina, for example, was far more devastating in terms of loss of life and infrastructure when it made landfall near New Orleans in 2005, but it was a Category 3 when it did. Here's what NOAA says.
1. Unnamed -- Sept. 2, 1935: This one came before hurricanes were even given names, but it's referred to as the "Labor Day Hurricane" and made landfall in the Florida Keys with 160 mph max sustained winds. It killed more than 400 people and remains the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall on the U.S. mainland in terms of wind speeds.
Depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes: What to know about these powerful weather systems
American Heritage high schools close Palm Beach and Broward campuses
By NBC6
Tampa Bay bracing for strongest storm in more than a century as Milton nears
By Terry Spencer and Haven Daley | The Associated Press
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses the preparations the state is making as Hurricane Milton makes it approach to Florida.
Hurricane Milton weakened slightly Tuesday but remained a ferocious storm that could land a once-in-a-century direct hit on the populous Tampa Bay region with towering storm surges and turn debris from Helene's devastation 12 days ago into projectiles.
Almost the entirety of Florida's west coast was under a hurricane or tropical storm warning as the storm and its 145 mph (230 kph) winds spun just off Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, creeping toward the state at 12 mph (19 kph) and sucking energy from the Gulf of Mexico's warm waters.
Milton's center could come ashore Wednesday night in the Tampa Bay area, which has a population of more than 3.3 million people. The county that's home to Tampa ordered evacuations for areas adjacent to the bay and for all mobile and manufactured homes by Tuesday night.
“You do not have to get on the interstate and go far away,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a Tuesday morning news briefing, assuring residents that there would be enough gas to fuel their cars for the trip. “You can evacuate tens of miles; you do not have to evacuate hundreds of miles away. You do have options.”
Here are tips to prep your home before a hurricane arrives
More airports urge travelers to check flights
By NBC6
Cruise lines adjust sailings as Milton churns in Gulf of Mexico
By NBC6
Gov. DeSantis says there's enough fuel for residents to get away from Milton
By Freida Frisaro
What is an eyewall replacement cycle, and what does it mean for Milton?
By Chelsea Ambriz
Hurricane Milton didn’t just intensify rapidly, the storm exceeded the even higher threshold of extreme rapid intensification. Meteorologist Chase Cain explains how the powerful Category 5 hurricane shows the fingerprints of climate change and how that threatens inland communities.
It is common for strong and powerful storms to undergo eyewall replacements, which allow for a brief period of weakening, like we saw with Milton going from a Category 5 to a Category 4 early Tuesday.
As hurricanes strengthen, the eyewalls, which consist of "a ring of tall thunderstorms that produce heavy rains and usually the strongest winds," according to NOAA, become tighter and more intense until they reach maximum strength in their environment.
A new eyewall may then begin to form on the outside of the previous inner eyewall, which cuts off the energy for the intense inner eyewall. This causes it to collapse and weaken.
As the outer eyewall regains organization, the storm will often re-increase in intensity.
Upgraded watches and warnings with the NHC's 8 a.m. advisory
By Chelsea Ambriz
All of South Florida is now under a tropical storm warning. We are still forecast to experience wind gusts 35-45 mph, but stronger within the rain bands from Milton.
The earliest possible arrival of the gusty conditions will begin overnight tonight (2 a.m.) in the Florida Keys and Wednesday morning (8 a.m.) for Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Wednesday and Thursday will remain gusty.
Hurricane warnings are now in effect for the red shaded areas further to our north. This is where widespread power outages are expected along with downed trees in addition to the rainfall and surge flooding.
Express lanes on I-595 will only go eastbound ahead of Milton
By NBC6
The National Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. advisory
First Alert meteorologist Chelsea Ambriz has the latest on Hurricane Milton.
Milton had maximum sustained winds of around 145 mph, a decrease of 10 mph from the last update, and was located 100 miles northeast of Progreso, Mexico.
The storm was moving east-northeast at 12 mph and was about 545 miles southwest of Tampa, the National Hurricane Center said in the 8 a.m. ET bulletin.
Hurricane #Milton Advisory 13A: Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings Issued For Portions of the East Coast of Florida. Residents in Florida Are Urged to Use Today to Prepare For Milton'S Arrival and Evacuate If Told to Do So By Local Officials. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 8, 2024
Miami-Dade and Broward are under tropical storm warnings
Impacts of Hurricane Milton on South Florida
By Chelsea Ambriz
Volunteers from the city of Miami fill sandbags to help residents prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Milton in Miami, Florida on October 7, 2024. Florida’s governor has declared a state of emergency on Saturday as forecasters warned that Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall later this week. (Photo by Giorgio VIERA / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)
RAIN: A flood watch is in effect until Thursday morning. We still have 2-4 inches of rain expected Tuesday ahead of the outer bands of Milton on Wednesday. The localized flooding is from a low pressure that has moved east and is now being monitored by the NHC. After Tuesday, this will not impact South Florida regardless of development. Wednesday, rainfall totals look to be 2-4 inches with locally higher totals if several pockets pass over the same area from Milton.
TORNADOES: There is an isolated threat for spin ups Tuesday, especially at night, as the outer bands begin to arrive. There is a better chance for some of the outer bands of Milton to produce tornadoes Wednesday. The threat is slightly higher Wednesday night into Thursday morning for a few passing, quick tornadoes. They are usually weak but frequent.
SURGE: The Florida Keys could experience 1-3 feet of water inundation, but there is no major risk for surge for Broward or Miami-Dade.
WIND: We could experience gusty wind starting overnight and into Wednesday morning. Breezy conditions will last all day and into Thursday. Gusts could be 35-45 mph but stronger within the rain bands from Milton.
West coast residents evacuate on I-75 ahead of Milton
Uber to give free rides to and from hurricane shelters
The National Hurricane Center's 5 a.m. advisory
By NBC6
Milton is now a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. advisory.
Milton was located 85 miles northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and 560 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida. It was moving east-northeast at 12 mph, the hurricane center said.
Milton is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida early Thursday morning.
"Milton poses an extremely serious threat to Florida and residents are urged to follow the orders of local officials," the hurricane center said.
A later landfall is in the forecast
By Chelsea Ambriz
NBC6’s Chelsea Ambriz has your forecast for today, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
The forecast remains regarding where Milton is headed on Florida's west coast, but it has slowed down a bit.
Original forecasts were predicting a Wednesday afternoon or evening landfall, but now it looks to be more likely that Milton will reach Tampa late Wednesday into the overnight hours of Thursday.
There's "an overnight threat for the strongest of the destruction to come on shore," meteorologist Chelsea Ambriz said.
Milton weakens to Cat. 4 but still poses ‘serious threat' to Florida
On Monday afternoon, the NHC said the storm had "explosively" intensified into a "potentially catastrophic" Category 5, before being downgraded to Category 4.
The storm could weaken back to Category 3 before it makes landfall Wednesday on the west coast of Florida, NBC News forecasters said.
By key measures, Milton is shaping up to be one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, and it has done so in an astonishingly short amount of time, evolving from Tropical Depression 14 to a Category 5 hurricane in less than three days, according to NBC News.
Tampa Bay has not been hit directly by a major hurricane since 1921, and authorities fear luck is about to run out for the region and its 3.3 million residents. President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida, and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said 7,000 federal workers were mobilized to help in one of the largest mobilizations of federal personnel in history, The Associated Press reported.
Some Milton evacuees from Florida's Gulf coast riding out storm in Miami
By Kim Wynne
Some residents along Florida’s Gulf coast who are having to evacuate due to Hurricane Milton will be riding out the storm in Miami.
Some residents along Florida's Gulf coast who are having to evacuate due to Hurricane Milton will be riding out the storm in Miami.
From her laptop to clothes to important documents, Adrianna Albelo-Hermida said she grabbed everything she could quickly fit into her car before getting on the road to head to her parents house in Miami Monday afternoon.
“I was just grabbing and going,” Albelo-Hermida said. “I would walk back in and this is something I need to take. I need to take this with me.”
She lives in Estero, about 10 minutes away from Fort Meyers, an area in the path of Hurricane Milton.
‘I don't think it's safe': Helene debris sits outside Tampa homes as Milton approaches
By Niko Clemmons
People across Tampa Bay are still trying to recover from Hurricane Helene, even as Hurricane Milton now threatens the area.
People across Tampa Bay are still trying to recover from Hurricane Helene, even as Hurricane Milton now threatens the area.
Piles of debris sit outside many homes as of a result of Helene, including on Davis Islands.
Davis Islands falls under a mandatory evacuation zone. Hillsborough County issued the evacuation order at 2:30 Monday afternoon. People on the island are now concerned the city won't pick up the debris in time.
Brock Bolves and his family said much of what his family owned got wet and ruined when Helene flooded Tampa Bay. He says water got inside their home and they tried to save what they could.
A monstrous Cat 5: Milton's rapid intensification explained by John Morales
By John Morales
The latest on Hurricane Milton from NBC6’s John Morales and Ryan Phillips.
Last year, Hurricane Otis struck very near Acapulco, Mexico, as a monster 165 mile-per-hour category 5 cyclone. About 24-hours before landfall, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) was predicting it would do so as 70 mile-per-hour tropical storm.
With the energy content (and destructive potential) of the wind increasing with the cube of the windspeed, that means that Otis reached Mexico with 13 times more destructive potential than what had been expected!
Even when the hurricane warning was issued, the hurricane center was still forecasting just an ordinary category 1 hurricane to reach Mexico’s Pacific coast.
For a region of Mexico that had never experienced anything stronger than a category 1, getting hit by a cat-5 with little to no warning led to severe consequences.
South Florida schools, universities to close for Hurricane Milton
By NBC6
The latest on Hurricane Milton from NBC6’s John Morales and Ryan Phillips.
Many of South Florida's schools and universities announced that they will be closing ahead of Hurricane Milton.
Public schools in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach schools have announced that they will close Wednesday, while Broward and Palm Beach will also close schools on Thursday.
Officials with the Monroe County School District said they will make a decision about closures on Tuesday.
The Archdiocese of Miami announced they will also be closing schools on Wednesday.
