Hurricane Milton has made landfall in central Florida, with its eye now centered over the Orlando metro area, near the Florida Turnpike south of St. Cloud. The storm is causing heavy rainfall, resulting in flash flooding emergencies across central and eastern Florida and power outages. Winds are beginning to weaken in Polk County and the Tampa Bay area, but severe weather threats remain significant.
According to the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) 2 a.m. (local time) Thursday (10 October) advisory, Milton is currently moving east-northeast at 16 mph and is expected to maintain hurricane strength as it crosses Florida. Hurricane-force winds extend 35 miles from the center, while tropical storm-force winds reach up to 255 miles. Maximum sustained winds are recorded at 90 mph, with gusts as high as 76 mph, particularly in areas like Cape Canaveral and Daytona Beach.
Various watches and warnings remain in place, including storm surge warnings for parts of the Florida coast and hurricane warnings for both Florida’s east and west coasts. The surge could reach dangerous levels, with flooding expected in multiple areas. Rainfall of up to 18 inches is forecast, increasing the risk of life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding, particularly in central and northern Florida.
Milton is also causing hazardous surf conditions along the Gulf Coast and the southeastern U.S. coast. A tornado or two is possible in parts of central and eastern Florida due to the storm’s intensity. Local authorities continue to advise residents to follow evacuation orders and take necessary precautions to stay safe from the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Milton.
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