As of early Monday, Hurricane Milton has intensified into a major Category 3 hurricane, producing sustained winds of 120 mph while moving across the Gulf of Mexico. It is on a path that could lead to a severe impact on Florida’s already storm-affected shoreline.

The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane watches for various areas in Florida, alerting that certain regions may face perilous storm surges, heavy flooding, and destructive winds.

Forecasts predict Milton may reach Category 4 status, with winds peaking at 145 mph before making landfall on Wednesday. Rainfall amounts are expected to reach between 5 and 10 inches, with localized areas possibly receiving up to 15 inches. Additionally, a dangerous storm surge of 8 to 12 feet is anticipated in the Sarasota-Manatee region.

Evacuations are set to begin on Monday in several counties.

Latest updates:

∎ As of early Monday, Milton was located 750 miles west-southwest of Tampa, progressing east-southeast at a speed of 8 mph.

∎ Mexico has announced a Hurricane Warning for the Yucatan Peninsula’s coastline, spanning from Celestun to Rio Lagartos.

Impending flood threat to Florida

Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, has indicated that both Helene and Milton may be recorded as one of the most destructive sequential storms to impact Florida. The updated trajectory suggests that landfall may occur between the Nature Coast and Marco Island, according to his analysis published in the Tallahassee Democrat, a part of the YSL News NETWORK.

However, Truchelut mentioned that the precise forecast path isn’t as critical since the effects will be felt extensively across the Florida Peninsula. Milton is expected to generate a life-threatening wall of water over several days, irrespective of what hurricane category it ultimately achieves at landfall.

“In summary, there’s nothing positive happening with Milton today, and I truly regret that this situation is unfolding,” Truchelut expressed. “We are confronting a compounded threat rarely seen in hurricane history.”

Truchelut further stated that “we’re all feeling wearied already. You are, and so am I. That’s the reality.”