× Tropical Cyclone Statement
Until 2024-10-09T22:30:00-04:00 • National Weather Service
HLSTBW This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida **MAJOR HURRICANE MILTON CONTINUES TO APPROACH THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA AND EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL 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 120 miles southwest of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL - 26.3N 84.0W - Storm Intensity 130 mph - Movement North-northeast or 30 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 9 to 13 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 5 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: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. Remain well away from life-threatening surge that can have catastrophic impacts. If realized, these impacts 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: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida.. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind that could have devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts 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. * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having possible devastating impacts. If realized, these 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. Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having significant to extensive impacts. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. Remain well braced against a particularly dangerous tornado event having possible extensive impacts. If realized, these 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. Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida.. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having possible limited to significant impacts. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy. During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather. Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane as any improvement in weather will only be temporary. Once the eye passes, conditions will become life threatening as winds immediately return to dangerous speeds, so remain safely sheltered from the storm. Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos. Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as flooding is not a concern. If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body. If an Extreme Wind Warning is issued for your area, move to the safest place within your shelter. Take the same life-saving actions as if it were a violent tornado. * 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 6PM, or sooner if conditions warrant.