UPDATE 10/08 – 4:25 PM – Weather officials again upgrade Hurricane Milton to a category 5 strength storm; with the winds now sustained at 165 miles an hour as the storm ables toward expected landfall near or in Tampa Bay, with expected arrival around dinnertime, local time, Wednesday evening. Forecasters also now warn Milton may double in geographical size as the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico power the system. Storm surges are expected from the Florida panhandle all the way south through the Florida Keys. Peak storm surge may be as high as 15 feet, and a double surge could happen as well, as winds shift directions once the eye of the storm passes. Floridians are heeding the calls to evacuate with this storm; debris left from destructive Hurricane Helene about two weeks ago are expected to turn into missiles with Milton’s winds, producing a very dangerous situation for anyone or anything living left in the area when this storm hits.
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla, (AP) — Florida’s Gulf Coast is bracing for the impact of Hurricane Milton’s near-record winds and expected massive storm surge. The storm could bring destruction to cities and towns already reeling from Helene’s devastation 12 days ago and still recovering from Ian’s wrath two years ago. Almost the entirety of Florida’s west coast was under a hurricane warning early Tuesday. Milton’s winds are some of the strongest seen. The strongest Atlantic hurricane on record is 1980’s Allen, which reached wind speeds of 190 mph. Milton’s center could come ashore Wednesday in the Tampa Bay region. The area has not endured a direct hit by a major hurricane in more than a century.
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