Milton has reached hurricane status and has its sights set on the west coast of Florida.
The latest from the NHC has Milton listed as a quickly strengthening Category 1 storm with winds of 80 m.p.h. The storm is expected to track east or slightly southeast before turning north and impacting Florida around mid-day Wednesday.
Widespread heavy rainfalls and strong winds are expected across the entire central part of the state. Exact landfall location will likely bounce north and south a bit but a landfall generally in the area of Tampa Bay is likely. The latest models indicate possibly a bit more of a northward trek which would bring rough weather to the Georgia coastline as well but that could change.
Regardless of the exact track, heavy rains are likely across Florida. The state is already seeing heavy rains well ahead of the storm, much like we did here in North Georgia with Helene. When Milton arrives an additional 6-12+” of rain are expected across the central part of the Peninsula.
An extreme storm surge for the Sarasota to Tampa Bay region is on the table with this storm. With Milton forecast to make landfall as a strong Category 3 or Category 4 storm, a lot of water will be pushed into the bays ahead of the eye. A track just to the north of Tampa Bay would result in the worst surge ever seen in that region. The latest forecasts indicate up to 10ft of surge possible but that number could go up or down.
If you have family or friends in central Florida I would urge them to evacuate ahead of this storm.
