Potential for Tropical Storm Milton to make landfall in Florida as a significant hurricane around midweek

Florida residents were put on alert on Sunday as Tropical Storm Milton loomed off the coast of Mexico and threatened to escalate into a major hurricane, posing a significant danger to the storm-battered Gulf Coast region. The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported that Milton was located about 860 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida with sustained winds of 60 mph, moving east at a slow pace of 5 mph. Forecasters warned of the potential for rapid intensification of Milton, predicting it could become a powerful hurricane with life-threatening conditions impacting parts of the Florida west coast by midweek.

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida preemptively declared a state of emergency in 35 counties ahead of the approaching storm, recognizing the heightened vulnerability of communities still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. DeSantis mobilized state resources and personnel to support localities in expediting debris removal and bolstering preparedness efforts in anticipation of Milton’s landfall.

Residents in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys, and the northwestern Bahamas were advised to closely monitor Milton’s trajectory. Heavy rainfall preceding the storm was expected to exacerbate flooding in Florida, with forecasts indicating the potential for up to a foot of rain in certain areas by Wednesday evening. The hurricane center highlighted the escalating risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts along the west coast of the Florida Peninsula starting late Tuesday or Wednesday, urging residents to finalize their hurricane preparedness plans and heed guidance from local authorities.

The Atlantic hurricane season remained highly active, coinciding with ongoing search and rescue operations in the southeastern United States following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. Meanwhile, Hurricane Kirk had weakened to a Category 2 storm in the open Atlantic, generating strong winds and hazardous surf conditions for Bermuda and regions along the U.S. and Canadian coasts. Hurricane Leslie, while maintaining its strength over the open Atlantic, posed no immediate threats to land areas.