Tropical Storm Milton Threatens Florida with Possible Hurricane Impacts

Less than two weeks following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, another storm, Tropical Storm Milton, is forecasted to approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula. The National Weather Service (NWS) has indicated that Milton, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico, could intensify into a hurricane by the middle of the coming week. The storm threatens to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and flash flooding to Florida, a state already battered by storms.

The NWS announced that potentially life-threatening storm conditions, including strong winds and storm surges, are expected to commence as early as late Tuesday or Wednesday. Heavy rainfall is anticipated to begin affecting some areas of Florida as soon as Sunday or Monday, with South Florida already experiencing downpours as of Saturday. Certain regions, including Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, are likely to see up to 7 inches of rain, prompting the NWS to issue a flood watch from Sunday morning through Thursday morning.

Communities across the Southeast are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which had a severe impact on six states—Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia—and resulted in over 200 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest hurricanes in the continental U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In Florida alone, Helene claimed at least 19 lives.

According to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Depression 14 rapidly intensified into Tropical Storm Milton on Saturday. Forecasters expect Milton to further intensify over the next 36 hours, potentially becoming a major hurricane by mid-week as it approaches Florida’s west coast, posing life-threatening risks.

Milton is projected to traverse the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night, subsequently moving across the south-central Gulf of Mexico on Monday and Tuesday, with possible winds reaching 110 mph as it nears the Florida Peninsula by Wednesday morning. Tropical-storm-force winds may affect Florida’s west coast by Tuesday, with storm impacts extending into Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Ahead of the storm, meteorologists predict significant rainfall for Central and South Florida, with totals ranging from 4 to 8 inches, and up to 12 inches possible in parts of Tampa and Orlando. Consequently, hurricane and storm surge watches will likely be issued on Sunday.

Additionally, Hurricane Kirk, categorized as a Category 3 hurricane, is generating swells that are expected to reach the U.S. East Coast, causing potentially hazardous surf and rip current conditions. Tropical Storm Leslie, having attained Category 1 hurricane strength, presents no land threat.

Residents in potentially affected areas are urged by Jamie Rhome, Deputy Director of the National Hurricane Center, to ensure they have hurricane preparedness plans and to heed advice from local officials. Milton’s development and path will be closely monitored, with updates provided as the situation evolves.