The 4am NOAA advisory warns Hurricane Milton’s devastating winds and heavy rainfall are approaching Central Florida.
According to NOAA, a large destructive storm surge, with highest inundations of 10ft or greater, is expected along a portion of the west-central coast of the Florida Peninsula. Officials said that if you are in the Storm Surge Warning Area, this is an extremely life-threatening situation, and you should evacuate as soon as possible if ordered by local officials. It has been difficult for remaining residents to get out because it is hard to find available gas.
The 4am advisory also warned that devastating hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida, where a Hurricane Warning remains in effect. Milton is forecast to remain a hurricane while it crosses Central Florida, and life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread inland.
Residents should be ready for long-duration power outages. Final preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
Heavy rainfall across the Florida Peninsula through Thursday brings the risk of catastrophic and life-threatening flash and urban flooding along with moderate to major river flooding, especially in areas where coastal and inland flooding combine to increase the overall flood threat.
The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:
Egmont Key, FL to Boca Grande, FL…10-15 ft
Tampa Bay…10-15 ft
Anclote River, FL to Egmont Key, FL…9-13 ft
Boca Grande, FL to Bonita Beach, FL…8-12 ft
Charlotte Harbor…8-12 ft
Bonita Beach, FL to Chokoloskee, FL…5-8 ft
Aripeka, FL to Anclote River, FL…4-7 ft
Chokoloskee, FL to Flamingo, FL…3-5 ft
Sebastian Inlet, FL to Altamaha Sound, GA…3-5 ft
Altamaha Sound, GA to Edisto Beach, SC…2-4 ft
Yankeetown, FL to Aripeka, FL…2-4 ft
Dry Tortugas…2-4 ft
St. Johns River…2-4 ft
Rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches, with localized totals up to 18 inches, are expected across central to northern portions of the Florida Peninsula through Thursday.
As Hurricane Milton approaches Central Florida, all of Florida is bracing for impact – stay tuned for more updates from local officials in your area or visit NOAA online.
