Milton Intensifies to Category 5 Hurricane: Storm Surge Warnings Issued for Florida's Gulf Coast Ahead of Wednesday Landfall

Category 5 Hurricane

Hurricane Milton Strengthens to Category 5: Life-Threatening Storm Surges Threaten Florida's Gulf Coast

Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 175 mph, prompting urgent storm surge warnings along Florida's Gulf Coast. Initially a tropical storm, Milton escalated to a Category 3 by 7 a.m. ET and reached Category 5 status by noon as it moved through the southern Gulf of Mexico, located about 105 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and 700 miles southwest of Tampa.

With landfall expected on Wednesday evening, millions are under evacuation orders, as 15 million people face flood watches and 11 million are at risk for tornadoes. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns of potentially catastrophic storm surges, predicting 8-12 feet of inundation in some areas.

As Milton approaches Florida, it's anticipated to weaken to a strong Category 3 by landfall, but the threat of life-threatening conditions remains. Rainfall could reach up to 15 inches, increasing the likelihood of flash flooding.

Evacuations are underway in multiple counties, including mandatory orders in Hillsborough and Sarasota. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued emergency declarations for 51 counties and suspended tolls to facilitate evacuations. Schools and colleges are closing in affected areas as residents are urged to prepare and evacuate if necessary.

Milton's unusual path from the Gulf’s Bay of Campeche marks a rare occurrence, with only two storms in recorded history taking a similar route to landfall in Florida. Meanwhile, the Atlantic is experiencing an unprecedented three simultaneous hurricanes post-September, fueled by warmer waters linked to climate change.

Milton Intensifies to Category 5 Hurricane: Storm Surge Warnings Issued for Florida's Gulf Coast Ahead of Wednesday Landfall