Hurricane Milton landfall expected Wednesday evening

Contractors have been busy since last Friday, rushing to clear away the tons of debris left behind by Hurricane Helene. The same area is now being evacuated for Hurricane Milton. The leftover debris could become lethal in strong winds and pounding surf. (JAX Today)

Powerful category 5 hurricane Milton continues to move towards the Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday morning, located 405KM southwest of Tampa. Landfall is forecast by midnight Wednesday into early Thursday morning very close to Sarasota, Florida.

Milton currently has winds of 250km/h (155 MPH), a catastrophic category 5 storm, capable of a storm surge of 10-15 feet near and to the right of where the center crosses the coast. While some dry air is located to the north of the storm, possibly weakening Milton just prior to landfall, this will likely have minimal effect on the pounding surf and surge of water into the coast. Milton is the worst storm in over 100 years to threaten this region. 

Isolated tornadoes are also likely as Milton makes landfall and moves across the state, close to Orlando and eventually Daytona Beach along the east coast.

NOAA visible satellite image of Hurricane Milton early Wednesday morning, located 405 km southwest of Tampa Bay, moving northeast at 26km/h, with 250km/h (155MPH) winds. (NOAA)

Helene in late September created a massive storm surge in many of the same locations in west-central Florida, and mounds of debris remain. The debris will become lethal in strong winds and rapidly rising surf.

Evacuations have been rushed to completion, and the state has mobilized the National Guard. Resources have been pouring in from other states, including FEMA and over 43,000 linemen and women prepared to restore power to millions in the track.

Milton will sweep across the state on Thursday, spreading 200-400mm of rain towards the east coast of Florida, as well as tornadoes and 100mph plus winds. Widespread weather warnings are in effect for the entire state except the western panhandle, as well as the Georgia and South Carolina coastlines and the Bahamas.

This is a developing story and updates will be provided today at this link.