UPDATE 10/7/2024 2 p.m.: The NHC has issued a new update stating maximum sustained winds have increased to 175 mph with higher gusts. The update further noted, "Milton is a potentially catastrophic Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida."
Meteorologist Denis Phillips from Tampa Bay's ABC Action News reminded residents via Facebook, "We ALL know how serious this storm is. Now is NOT the time to freak out. Now IS the time for action. We have work to do. Work to prepare ourselves. Work to help our friends and neighbors. Work to comfort our children. Making important decisions is hard. Making those choices while freaking out is harder. You can do this!! We have a day and a half to get ready for Milton."
He added, "Unreal...but the forecast isn't changing. Running it into 40 knot shear will definitely weaken the storm, but there's no way around it...this will have devastating impacts where landfall occurs. Small storm. Stronger and weaker faster. Smaller area of damage."
ORIGINAL STORY
Hurricane Milton has now intensified into a Category 5.
The latest bulletin from the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurrican Center states, "Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Milton has strengthened to a category 5 hurricane. The maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 160 mph (250 km/h) with higher gusts. Data from the aircraft also indicate that the minimum pressure has fallen to 925 mb (27.31 inches)."
Currently, the hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center of Milton. Meanwhile, tropical storm-force winds extend outward 80 miles. Milton is moving at a speed of 9 mph and is expected to approach the west coast of Florida by Wednesday (October 9).
ABC Action News Tampa Bay's Denis Phillips reports that while Milton has rapidly intensified to a Category 5, it is still forecast to weaken before landfall, but it will still be a powerful hurricane.
Phillips added in a follow-up Facebook post, "Milton has strengthened almost as quickly as any storm in history. Only Wilma and Felix have strengthened faster. 80 knot increase in 24 hours."
He noted that Milton will likely be a Category 3 once it makes landfall, which is estimated to be between Sarasota and Hernando County, but Phillips notes, "The exact point of landfall is unpredictable. Wobbles will also happen."
Furthermore, Phillips says, "If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone, do so ... Unfortunately, this storm is the real deal. The one we always knew was possible, but dreaded even thinking about it. So, now is the time to act. You still have 1 1/2 days. Follow evacuation warnings. Make your final preps."
Meanwhile, NBC2 meteorologist Jason Dunning reports, "Please take Hurricane Milton very seriously. Up to 5-10 feet of storm surge is possible in our area from Hurricane Milton. Even if the storm makes landfall just north of our area, storm surge could still be life-threatening. I wanted to share a closer look at how much surge is possible for Lee, Collier and Charlotte County based on the storm's current track."
