The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued an advisory that Hurricane Milton is expected to rapidly strengthen as it moves east to northeast across the Gulf of Mexico and reach major hurricane strength as it approaches the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by midweek.
Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm with winds of 115 mph. Dangerous storm surge is expected in some areas hit by Hurricane Helene.
"There is an increasing likelihood that a life-threatening storm will impact parts of Florida's west coast around midweek," the NHC said.
Hurricane Milton formed in the western Gulf on the morning of October 5 (local time), just hours after becoming a tropical depression. This is the 13th named storm in the Atlantic this year.
Milton is expected to make landfall with heavy rain and strong winds. Florida is likely to see increased flooding throughout the week. Just over a week since Hurricane Helene made landfall in the state, Florida officials continue to urge residents to prepare for Milton.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic, Hurricane Kirk remains a major hurricane with winds of 120 mph. Hurricane Leslie in the eastern Atlantic has also strengthened as it continues to move west-northwest. The storm's maximum sustained winds are 80 mph.
This is the time of year when the Florida coast is most vulnerable to hurricanes. If you are planning to visit these areas, be sure to monitor weather conditions and local government warnings to prepare for them.
