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Florida’s Gulf Coast is making intense preparations for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to bring a storm surge of 8-12 feet to the Tampa Bay area. 

Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified to a 

. Currently, it has a minimum pressure of 925 millibars and a maximum sustained wind gusts of 160 mph. 

The hurricane is expected to weaken slightly as it approaches Florida, but it will still be classified as a major hurricane when it makes landfall.

Milton is forecast to move near or just north of the Yucatan Peninsula Monday and Tuesday, before crossing the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approaching the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by Wednesday. 

The National Weather Service has issued storm surge watches and hurricane watches for the coast. 

Hurricane Milton will hit the Tampa Bay area hard with an expected storm surge of 8 to 12 feet. Here are some other surge forecasts across Gulf Coast Florida:

More than 50 counties are under a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Milton with mandatory evacuations in effect for several areas.

Mandy Thalhuber

Author

Florida’s Gulf Coast is making intense preparations for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to bring a storm surge of 8-12 feet to the Tampa Bay area. 


Forecast simulated infrared satellite of Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton on track to strike Florida's Gulf Coast

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