Tropical Storm Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane heading toward Florida with possible impacts on its west coast, the National Hurricane Center said Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to reach 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north to northeast, the NHC said in an advisory.
Milton expected to experience a period of rapid intensification before it made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane on the west coast of Florida, CBS News Miami reported.
As of Saturday morning, Milton was centered 220 miles northeast of Veracruz, Mexico, and 365 miles northwest of Veracruz, Mexico. It was moving gradually north-northeast at 3 mph.
The forecast comes a little over a week later Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Florida and throughout the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend, where Helen hit as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Biden said rebuilding work would cost “billions of dollars.” dollars” as communities still suffer without electricity, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is expected to cross the southwest Gulf of Mexico through Sunday evening, then cross the south-central Gulf Monday and Tuesday before reaching the west coast of Florida by midweek, the NHC. Heavy rain is possible in the area Sunday through Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and strong winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be needed for parts of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect flooding risks.
Area residents should make sure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check for forecast updates.
