BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2024) —Hurricane Milton remains a dangerously strong CAT 5 storm as it nears the Florida coastline.

Milton continues to pose a potentially catastrophic threat as a Category 5 storm swirling over the Gulf of Mexico with sustained winds around 160 mph and a minimum pressure of 907 mb. The satellite and radar information corroborates the hurricanes distinct core while its wind reach is slowly increasing. Intense rainfall has started moving across west central Florida with conditions anticipated to deteriorate as the day progresses.

Currently Milton is heading northeast at a speed of 12 knots due, to the influence of weather patterns in the Gulf and Greater Antilles regions. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that the storm will reach the Florida Gulf Coast tonight or early Thursday morning. Residents are advised not to fixate much on the point of landfall as hurricane conditions are expected to affect a broad area and forecast inaccuracies are usually around 40 miles, at this time.

There might be some weakening anticipated as wind shear picks up today; however Milton is forecasted to stay a perilous hurricane as it moves across Florida. The storm is predicted to leave the state by Thursday afternoon and proceed on its path, over the Atlantic Ocean. There’s a likelihood that it will transform into a system by Friday.

The wind field of Milton is projected to expand as it interacts with a boundary and poses a broad threat, to regions well beyond the storms direct route path. The north-western side of the storm may cause winds along, with life threatening storm surges and substantial rainfall across extensive areas of Florida. It is strongly advised that evacuations and emergency readiness measures be promptly finalized.

Important Updates

STORM SURGE ALERT

There is a warning for life threatening storm surges predicted to reach over 10 feet along the west coast of Florida soonest possible urging residents, in these zones to evacuate if authorities issue orders.

A hurricane warning has been issued for portions of Florida’s coastline as powerful hurricane force winds are anticipated to hit the region with Milton expected to maintain its status as a hurricane while moving across the state causing extensive gusty winds and prolonged power disruptions, along, with infrastructure damage.

FLOOD RISK

The Florida Peninsula is expecting rainfall until Thursday, which may result in flash floods and river overflow posing increased dangers to regions experiencing coastal and inland flooding simultaneously.

This storm is no joke. Could go down in history books! People in Florida need to pay attention to emergency guidelines and get ready now.