× Tropical Cyclone Statement
Until 2024-10-09T17:00:00-04:00 • National Weather Service
HLSTBW This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida **MILTON EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL OVER WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AS A MAJOR HURRICANE TONIGHT** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Lee, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Sarasota, Inland Lee, and Pinellas - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Coastal Levy, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Inland Charlotte, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Levy, Inland Manatee, Inland Pasco, Inland Sarasota, Polk, and Sumter * STORM INFORMATION: - About 220 miles southwest of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL - 25.0N 84.8W - Storm Intensity 155 mph - Movement Northeast or 40 degrees at 16 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Milton remains a powerful and very dangerous major hurricane moving northeast into the eastern Gulf of Mexico this morning, and will bring devastating to life-threatening impacts across parts of West Central and Southwest Florida beginning later today and continuing through early Thursday. Extremely life-threatening, catastrophic storm surge impacts are expected along the coast with destructive winds extending from the coast to inland locations along with heavy rainfall with possible flash flooding along with the threat of tornadoes. * Storm Surge - Life threatening storm surge is expected Wednesday into Thursday. Potential peak surge amounts are 10 to 15 feet from Anna Marie Island to Boca Grande, 8 to 12 feet from the Anclote River to Anna Marie Island including Tampa Bay, 8 to 12 feet from Boca Grande to Bonita Beach including Charlotte Harbor, 4 to 7 feet from the Anclote River to Aripeka, and 2 to 4 feet from Aripeka to Yankeetown. * Rain - Flooding rain threat will run from Wednesday through Thursday with rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts up to 18 inches possible. * Wind - Hurricane and tropical storm force winds will be possible beginning on Wednesday with the highest probabilities along the coast. * Tornadoes - Isolated tornadoes are possible Wednesday into Thursday across the area. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible catastrophic impacts across Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. Potential impacts in this area include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded. Elsewhere across West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no impact is anticipated. * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts across Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida.Potential impacts in this area include: - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Widespread power and communications outages. Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible limited to extensive impacts across Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible devastating impacts across the Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. Potential impacts include: - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across the Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. * TORNADOES: Protect against a particularly dangerous tornado event having possible extensive impacts across the Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida.Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of numerous tornadoes can greatly hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Many places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of immense destruction, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roof and wall failures of sturdy buildings with some being leveled, structures upon weak foundations blown away, mobile homes obliterated, large trees twisted and snapped with forested trees uprooted, vehicles lifted off the ground and thrown, and boats destroyed. Large and deadly projectiles can add to the toll. Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible limited to significant impacts across the Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution. If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin FL around 12 PM, or sooner if conditions warrant.