Breaking News: Hurricane Milton Upgraded to Category 5
By TNW News - Breaking News Staff | 12:43 PM Update

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

Hurricane Milton has rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 161 mph. The storm poses an extreme threat to Florida's west coast, with landfall expected as soon as Wednesday evening. Forecasts suggest Milton may make landfall near the Tampa Bay area as a Category 3 hurricane, but uncertainty remains regarding its exact track. Residents in evacuation zones are urged to finalize preparations immediately.

State Mobilization and Resource Deployment

In response to Hurricane Milton, the Florida Division of Emergency Management is managing more than 600 resource requests from communities in the storm's path. Efforts include the deployment of truckloads of food, water, ambulances, Starlink satellite units, and over 2,000 feet of flood protection systems aimed at safeguarding critical infrastructure across Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area. An additional 1.5 million gallons of fuel reserves have also been secured and will be distributed as needed.

Local officials are still working to clear debris left behind by Hurricane Helene. With Hurricane Milton fast approaching, debris removal efforts are in full swing, aided by the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, and Florida Highway Patrol. Nearly 9,000 cubic yards of debris have been cleared from Pinellas County’s barrier islands, and work will continue until conditions become unsafe.

Governor's Executive Order mandates that local landfill and dump sites remain open 24/7 to facilitate the safe disposal of debris from Hurricane Helene, prioritizing efficiency over bureaucracy.

Milton's Path and Forecast
Hurricane Milton’s path remains variable, but meteorologists expect the storm to weaken slightly before landfall. Once it moves inland, it is forecasted to impact population centers like Orlando while maintaining hurricane strength as it crosses the state and moves towards the east coast.

Evacuations and Storm Surge Risk
A state of emergency is in effect across dozens of Florida counties. Miami-Dade, Broward, and the Florida Keys are under tropical storm watches, with officials urging residents to prepare for potentially dangerous conditions. Evacuations have been ordered in Miami-Dade County’s mobile home parks and for medically vulnerable residents. The Tampa Bay region faces the potential of a devastating storm surge as high as 12 feet.

Flood Preparations and Sandbag Distribution
Sandbag distribution sites have been set up throughout South Florida to help residents prepare for the risk of flooding. With many areas already saturated from recent rains, residents are encouraged to secure sandbags and prepare for more rising water levels. Information about sandbag collection locations can be found at TNWWeather.com.

TNW Hurricane Operations and 24/7 Coverage
As Hurricane Milton approaches, TNW’s Hurricane Operations Division, led by General Manager Todd Nardone, is fully mobilized. The team will provide live 24/7 updates, real-time storm reports, and preparedness tips through TNWWeather.com and all TNW social media platforms. Stay tuned to TNW for up-to-date information as the situation develops.

Potential Impacts on Florida’s First Coast
The First Coast could see severe impacts starting Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Wind gusts up to 70 mph and up to 12 inches of rainfall may cause inland flooding, while coastal areas could experience a storm surge of up to 4 feet.

Final Preparations
Residents are urged to complete their storm preparations by Tuesday evening. Take steps to secure outdoor objects, trim weak tree branches, and protect structures from potential wind damage. Power outages, flooding, and structural damage are expected across the affected regions.

Stay Informed
For official updates and information, visit FloridaDisaster.org and use the Know Your Zone tool to determine your evacuation zone. TNW News and TNWWeather.com will provide ongoing coverage to ensure residents stay informed throughout the storm.

TNW News – Keeping You Informed