Tropical Storm Milton Forms in the Gulf of Mexico
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane, potentially impacting Florida’s western coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. Milton is expected to undergo a period of rapid intensification, bringing the risk of life-threatening impacts to portions of Florida’s west coast next week.
The storm is anticipated to become a hurricane by Sunday night and is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane over the central and eastern Gulf of Mexico. A major hurricane is defined as a Category 3 storm or larger, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour.
As of 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, Milton was centered 245 miles north of Veracruz, Mexico, and 385 miles west-northwest of the same city. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving north-northeast at 3 mph.
Milton is forecast to traverse the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night, then cross the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday, reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week. This forecast comes shortly after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and the Southeast, resulting in at least 229 fatalities and widespread destruction. The aftermath of Helene has left many communities in Florida still grappling with the impacts, as President Biden noted during a recent aerial tour of the affected areas.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has indicated that Milton could bring storm surge and heavy rainfall to areas still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Debby, potentially affecting regions far from the coast. FEMA has already deployed hundreds of staff to assist with Helene recovery and will also help prepare for Milton’s anticipated arrival.
Heavy rainfall is expected to begin in the region from Sunday into Monday, with the heaviest winds and rain likely arriving on Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center has indicated that hurricane and storm surge watches will likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday.
The hurricane center has projected rainfall totals of 5 to 12 inches across the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys from Milton. This heavy rainfall is expected to bring significant risks of flooding in the region.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to prepare a hurricane plan and to heed the advice of local officials. Regular updates on the forecast will be crucial as the storm approaches.
