While Hurricane Milton has downgraded to a Category 1 storm, it continues to unleash damaging winds and heavy rainfall across central and eastern Florida as it moves away from the state’s east coast. The hurricane's eye has already exited Florida, traveling from west to east, though meteorologists warn that the region will still face severe weather conditions with strong winds and rain linked to the cyclone. Gradual weakening of the storm is anticipated in the coming hours.
As of 5:00 a.m. local time, Milton was positioned approximately 10 miles northeast of Cape Canaveral, boasting maximum winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and advancing northeast at 18 mph (30 km/h). Several cities are grappling with severe flooding due to the storm-induced tornadoes that have wreaked havoc across the state. More than three million homes and buildings are without power as a result of extensive damage.
Milton marks the fifth hurricane to hit U.S. soil this year and is the third to impact Florida, which recently endured the effects of Hurricane Helene. The latest update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has lifted hurricane and tropical storm warnings for Florida's west coast, along with storm surge alerts in several regions. Nevertheless, critical warnings remain in effect in other areas:
Current Warnings and Alerts
Storm Surge Warning: This is in effect for Florida's west coast, extending from Bonita Beach to Longboat Key, including Charlotte Harbor, and from Sebastian Inlet, Florida, to Altamaha Sound, Georgia.
Hurricane Warning: Issued for Florida's east coast, running from the St. Lucie/Martin County line to Ponte Vedra Beach.
Tropical Storm Warning: This affects regions from south of the St. Lucie/Martin County line to the Palm Beach-Broward County line and north of Ponte Vedra Beach to Edisto Beach, South Carolina, as well as the northwestern Bahamas islands of Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Bimini.
Potential Impacts and Risks
Storm Surge: The rise in sea levels could lead to hazardous flooding, with potential surges of 3 to 5 feet above ground level along coastal areas from Sebastian Inlet, FL, to Altamaha Sound, GA, and 2 to 4 feet in the St. Johns River and Charlotte Harbor.
Rainfall: Additional rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is predicted for the central-east and northeast Florida coast, posing risks of flash and urban flooding, as well as river overflows.
Winds: Hurricane conditions persist in warned areas of Florida, while tropical storm conditions impact regions under advisories in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and the Bahamas.
Surf: Milton’s generated swells will continue to affect the southeastern U.S. coast and the Bahamas, exacerbating the risk of dangerous rip currents.
Milton is expected to move northeast today, distancing itself from Florida and heading towards the northern Bahamas. Although a gradual weakening is forecasted, Milton could transform into a formidable extratropical low by tonight.