Hurricane Milton Intensifies to Category 5 with 165 mph Winds, Expected to Hit Tampa Bay with 15 Feet Storm Surge

Oct 8, 2024, 09:01 PM

Hurricane Milton has intensified into a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds reaching 165 mph as it approaches Florida's west coast. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has classified Milton as one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded, with forecasts indicating it will make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. Although Milton is expected to weaken to a Category 3 storm by landfall, it is still anticipated to deliver life-threatening storm surges, particularly in the Tampa Bay area, where surge heights could reach up to 15 feet. Evacuations are being urged as the hurricane poses significant risks to the region, which is still recovering from previous storms. As of the latest updates, Milton remains a powerful storm, and residents are advised to heed evacuation orders and prepare for severe weather conditions.