Central Florida Braces for Hurricane Milton with Severe Weather Warnings

As Hurricane Milton approaches the Sunshine State, Central Florida is under a series of advisories warning of severe weather, including powerful winds, heavy rain, and potential flooding. The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane warnings covering several counties as authorities brace for the impact of the major storm.

Current warnings affect counties such as Marion, Orange, Seminole, Lake, Osceola, Polk, Sumter, Flagler, Volusia, and Brevard, with storm surge advisories also in place for the coastal regions. Flood watches have been declared throughout Central Florida, anticipating substantial rainfall over the upcoming days.

The unpredictable path of Hurricane Milton has prompted officials to urge residents to prepare for harsh weather conditions. According to Tony Mainolfi, Chief Meteorologist at WESH 2, “The biggest threats across the area include flash flooding, tornadoes, and torrential downpours.” Residents should expect significant rainfall, exacerbating the risk of flooding in already vulnerable areas.

As the outer bands of the storm approach, meteorologists anticipate increasing severe weather activity, including sustained winds possibly exceeding 100 mph. Eric Burris, another meteorologist at WESH 2, indicated that the tornado threat is heightened, especially along and south of Interstate 4.

Local authorities are advising residents to secure their properties and ensure that emergency kits are prepared. Frequent power outages are likely, given the anticipated intensity of the winds. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned for continuous updates through WESH 2’s coverage.

The First Warning Weather team, which includes experts like Kellianne Klass and Marquise Meda, will continue to provide the most accurate forecasts across various platforms, including online and television. The effort to keep the public informed during such volatile conditions remains a top priority for the WESH 2 team.