Hurricane Milton Advisory No. 15: Category 5 Storm Threatens Florida with Life-Threatening Conditions
NWS National Hurricane Center, Miami, FL – AL142024
4:00 PM CDT, Tue Oct 08, 2024
Milton Regains Strength as Category 5 Hurricane
Florida Residents Urged to Prepare and Follow Evacuation Orders
Summary of Current Information:
- Location: 22.7N, 87.5W, approximately 320 miles WSW of the Dry Tortugas and 480 miles SW of Tampa, Florida.
- Maximum Sustained Winds: 165 mph (270 km/h)
- Movement: ENE at 9 mph (15 km/h)
- Minimum Central Pressure: 918 mb (27.11 inches)
Watches and Warnings:
New Updates:
- Storm Surge Warning extended southward to Sebastian Inlet, Florida, and northward to Altamaha Sound, Georgia.
- Hurricane Warning extended southward to the St. Lucie/Martin County Line.
- Tropical Storm Warning extended northward to Altamaha Sound, Georgia.
- A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Florida east coast from the St. Lucie/Martin County Line to the Palm Beach/Martin County Line.
- A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for parts of the northwestern Bahamas.
Warnings in Effect:
- Storm Surge Warning for the Florida west coast (Flamingo to Suwannee River), including Tampa Bay and Sebastian Inlet, FL, to Altamaha Sound, GA.
- Hurricane Warning for the Florida west coast (Bonita Beach to Suwannee River) and east coast (St. Lucie/Martin County Line to Ponte Vedra Beach).
- Storm Surge Watch from Altamaha Sound, GA, to Edisto Beach, SC.
- Hurricane Watch for Dry Tortugas, Lake Okeechobee, and parts of Florida’s west and east coasts.
- Tropical Storm Warning for sections of Mexico, Florida’s west and east coasts, the Florida Keys, and the northwestern Bahamas.
Key Hazards:
- Storm Surge: Surge levels of 10-15 feet are expected near Tampa Bay and along the Florida coast. This is a life-threatening situation with imminent flooding.
- Rainfall: Central and northern Florida may experience 6-12 inches of rain, with isolated totals of up to 18 inches, causing severe flooding.
- Wind: Hurricane conditions are expected across the Florida peninsula beginning late Wednesday, with tropical storm conditions by midday.
- Tornadoes: A few tornadoes are possible across central and southern Florida from tonight through early Thursday morning.
Residents in affected areas should take immediate precautions, follow local emergency guidelines, and stay informed through updates from the National Hurricane Center and local authorities.
Stay safe and heed evacuation orders as Hurricane Milton approaches.