Breaking News: Hurricane Milton Upgraded to Category 5

By TNW News - Breaking News Staff | 7 PM Update

Hurricane Milton Intensifies to Category 5: Florida Braces for Catastrophic Impacts

As of this afternoon, Hurricane Milton has rapidly strengthened into a major Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds reaching 161 mph. The storm poses an extreme threat to Florida’s west coast, with landfall expected by Wednesday evening. Although some models suggest Milton may weaken to a Category 3 upon landfall, uncertainty remains regarding its precise track. Residents in evacuation zones should finalize preparations immediately.

State Mobilization and Resource Deployment

The State of Florida is responding to the impending threat with robust preparations. Evacuations are underway, tolls have been suspended, and roadway shoulders are open to facilitate safe travel. Every county offers pet-friendly shelters and special needs accommodations to ensure safety from storm surge.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has fulfilled over 600 resource requests from affected areas, mobilizing significant aid, including:

• Truckloads of food, water, and ambulances
• Starlink satellite units to maintain communication
• 2,000 feet of flood protection systems to safeguard critical infrastructure in Central Florida and Tampa Bay
• 1.5 million gallons of fuel reserves to support recovery efforts post-storm

Efforts to clear debris from Hurricane Helene are ongoing across Pinellas County, with 9,000 cubic yards already removed, led by the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida National Guard. Local landfills are open 24/7 to accommodate further debris removal ahead of Milton’s impact.

Milton's Path and Forecast

Hurricane Milton’s path remains uncertain, but landfall near Tampa Bay is probable. Forecasts indicate possible impacts extending from Orlando to Florida’s First Coast, with coastal areas facing storm surges as high as 12 feet. Inland cities could experience hurricane-force winds and widespread flooding.

Evacuations and Surge Risk

A state of emergency is in effect for much of Florida. Tropical storm watches have been issued for Miami-Dade, Broward, and the Florida Keys. Evacuation orders are active for mobile homes and medically vulnerable individuals. Coastal regions, particularly the Tampa Bay area, are at risk of storm surges up to 12 feet.

Flood Preparations and Sandbag Distribution

To mitigate flooding risks, sandbag distribution sites are open across South Florida. Residents can find collection locations and other resources at TNWWeather.com.

TNW Hurricane Operations and 24/7 Coverage

TNW’s Hurricane Operations Division, headed by General Manager Todd Nardone, is providing continuous live updates across TNW platforms, including:

• X.com/TNWNews
• X.com/TNWNewsLLC
• TNW News YouTube channel

Residents are encouraged to follow real-time updates, preparedness tips, and recovery efforts.

Final Preparations

Residents should complete all preparations by Tuesday evening, securing outdoor items, trimming weak tree branches, and reinforcing structures against potential wind damage. Power outages, flooding, and structural damage are highly likely across the region.

Stay Informed

For evacuation information, visit FloridaDisaster.org and use the Know Your Zone tool. Stay tuned to TNW News and TNWWeather.com for ongoing updates as the situation evolves.

Continue to heed warnings from your local emergency management officials, and visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for the latest information on Hurricane Milton.