The US National Hurricane Center has issued an alert on the approaching hurricane Milton, which is expected to bring life-threatening weather conditions when it hits the Yucatan Peninsula.
According to the Organization, Milton is expected to grow in size and remain an extremely dangerous hurricane when it approaches the west coast of Florida on Wednesday. A large area of destructive storm surge will occur along parts of the west coast of Florida. This is an extremely life-threatening situation, and residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate immediately if told to do so.
Devastating hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect. Milton is forecast to remain a hurricane as it crosses the Florida Peninsula, and life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread inland across the peninsula. Preparations to protect life and property in the warning areas should be complete by 8 October.
Hurricane #Milton Advisory 13: Extremely Powerful Hurricane Milton Just North of the Yucatan Peninsula. Milton Poses an Extremely Serious Threat to Florida And Residents Are Urged to Follow the Orders of Local Officials. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 8, 2024
Areas of heavy rainfall will continue to impact portions of Florida well ahead of Milton through early Thursday. This rainfall brings the risk of life-threatening flash, urban, and aerial flooding along with moderate to major river flooding. Flooding will be exacerbated in areas where coastal and inland flooding combine to increase the overall threat.