Florida's major cities along the I-4 corridor, including Tampa and Orlando, are in the projected path of Hurricane Milton. Emergency management officials predict the storm will trigger evacuations on a scale not witnessed since Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Tampa is dealing with a dual challenge as it recovers from Hurricane Helene while bracing for Hurricane Milton. As the city continues to recover from the previous storm, residents are now getting ready for another possible landfall. FOX Weather Storm Specialist and Meteorologist Mike Seidel is in Madeira Beach, Florida, reporting on the situation and talking with locals as they prepare for the approaching storm.
TAMPA – Hurricane Milton is expected to remain a major hurricane as it approaches Florida's Gulf Coast later this week.
In response, Florida emergency management officials are preparing for large-scale evacuations not seen in the state in seven years. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency for 51 of Florida's 67 counties.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton is projected to make landfall near or south of the Tampa area as a Category 3 hurricane or stronger. The latest forecast shows the storm moving across Florida’s densely populated I-4 and I-75 corridors, impacting cities like Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, and Sarasota.
The NHC warned of an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds along the west coast of Florida, starting Tuesday night or early Wednesday.
USA JOUMAL TODAY Weather Hurricane Specialist said it's still too early to tell the exact landfall and impacts, but the forecast is clear on one point. Milton will bring more rain to an already-waterlogged Florida, and everyone should be prepared for potential impacts.
"The bottom line is we have a high-level threat on the entire west coast of Florida," Norcross said. "Everyone in the Peninsula, Florida, Jacksonville to Cedar Key to Key West to Miami and especially the west coast, needs to be on high alert here and absolutely informed of local instructions."
Hurricane Ian caused deadly destruction and a storm surge in parts of Southwest Florida in 2022. A local state of emergency has been declared in Lee County, which experienced severe impacts from Ian.
Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, urged residents and visitors to follow evacuation orders if issued. "I strongly encourage Floridians to complete their storm preparations now and be ready to evacuate. We're preparing for what could be the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017," Guthrie said.
Florida is well-acquainted with tropical storm dangers, and preparations are already underway for Hurricane Milton. Sandbag distribution centers opened across Southwest and Central Florida over the weekend, and evacuation orders have been issued for some barrier islands along the west coast.
More evacuation orders will be announced on Monday, giving residents ample time to evacuate safely before Milton’s expected landfall on Wednesday. Those in flood-prone areas, manufactured homes, and RV parks are advised to consider leaving before official orders are issued.
A mandatory evacuation order will be in place for Anna Maria Island starting at noon on Monday. Pinellas County has also issued mandatory evacuation orders for hospitals and healthcare facilities in Zones A, B, and C, while Manatee County has ordered evacuations for Zones A and B.
Residents can view Florida's Evacuation Zone map and a list of active orders online. Areas still under evacuation from Hurricane Helene in the Big Bend region remain listed, while new evacuation orders related to Hurricane Milton are starting to come in.
Orange County, home to Orlando, Disney World, and Universal Orlando, will set up sandbag distribution centers on Monday. In Central Florida, Osceola and Marion County schools will be closed on Wednesday.
The University of Central Florida will suspend operations on Tuesday and remain closed through Thursday, while all University of South Florida campuses will close on Monday, with classes canceled through Wednesday.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Milton is forecast to remain a major hurricane early this week, bringing life-threatening storm surges, destructive winds, and heavy rainfall to the state by midweek.
