Late this afternoon, Orlando Sentinel reported that Hurricane Milton “began its turn toward Florida . . . rebounding back to near Category 5 strength with a forecast landfall near Tampa Bay with up to 15-foot storm surge, according to the National Hurricane Center.”
The storm, which was rated Category 5 with 180 MPH winds in the Gulf of Mexico, lost some power overnight then regained force during the day. Forecasters say it will remain “extremely dangerous” when it makes landfall late tomorrow night or early Thursday morning classified as a “major Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds and 155 mph gusts.”
“The latest forecast track ranges from Cape Coral in southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast north up to near Homosassa Springs [in Citrus County], but the consensus path remains targeted south of Tampa Bay. . . .” The storm is expected to pass south of Lakeland and Kissimmee and head toward Cape Canaveral before passing into the Atlantic Ocean while retaining hurricane status. “’Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida,’ said NHC senior hurricane specialist John Cangialosi.” Milton is also triggering tornado warnings across Florida.
In addition to covering the storm’s progress, Orlando Sentinel reports extensively on state and local preparations for the impact and recovery.
“Residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast were fleeing in droves [today] ahead of Hurricane Milton’s predicted landfall, in what officials said was likely to be the biggest evacuation the state has seen since Hurricane Irma struck in 2017. Evacuees have faced hourslong traffic jams on highways and gas stations running out of fuel,” according to The New York Times. Motorists taking I-75 and I-275 report major traffic congestion and depleted fuel supplies today. Traffic jams are also occurring on sections of I-4 and I-95. Governor Ron DeSantis (R) assured the public yesterday there is no fuel shortage and retail outlets are being resupplied.
Florida Politics covers DeSantis’ statements on fuel availability.