Hurricane Milton live updates: Category 5, evacuation orders, central pressure, arrival...
Hurricane Milton: Live tracker
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
- Hurricane Milton has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm as it intensifies in the Gulf of Mexico
- Officials warn that the storm will make landfall this afternoon
- Hurricane Milton's central pressure drops to 905 MB
-Evacuation orders are in place across the Sunshine State: most up to date list
- The growing danger of conspiracy theoriesduring natural disasters
- Storm surge expected to reach 12 feet in and around the Tampa Bay
More from AS USA:
The sports world is once again reminded that Mother Nature doesn’t care about your game day plans. Florida’s teams are scrambling, some heading for higher ground while others adjust schedules and hope for the best.
We’re concerned and waiting to see if we can leave. They say we might be able to fly out in the afternoon, but we’re not certain yet. We had asked to travel today (Tuesday), but the flight was denied. Now we’ll have to see if the weather allows us to leave...
The match is important, but safety is even more important.
Here's more (see post below) on the situation of the Argentina national soccer team, who are in Miami trying to get to Venezuela for their next World Cup qualifying match with Milton bearing down on Florida.
How is Hurricane Milton affecting the world of sport?
There’s growing concern within the Argentina national soccer team camp. The squad is currently in Miami, preparing for two World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela and Bolivia. However, in just a few hours, they’re set to board a flight to Venezuela while under the looming threat of Hurricane Milton.
The team has a charter flight scheduled for today, departing from Miami to Venezuela. But with hurricane-force winds expected to reach up to 155 mph near Tampa, there’s a possibility that airports in the region could shut down.
Looking for Spanish language coverage?
If reading the events in Florida in English isn't your preferred option, we also have another feed providing updates in Spanish.
Si leer los acontecimientos de Florida en inglés no es su opción preferida, también disponemos de otro feed con actualizaciones en español.
Join our Spanish coverage with this link
As Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast, its unprecedented strength has drawn comparisons to some of the most powerful storms in US history. Milton’s rapid intensification to Category 5 status has raised questions about the frequency and impact of such extreme hurricanes making landfall in the United States.
Watch: data scientists brave the hurricane from the sky
Data is needed for forecasting Hurricane Milton and scientists are pulling out all the stops.
Destructive hurricanes have recently battered parts of the U.S. Nine have been recorded in the Atlantic in 2024, with Milton as the latest addition to the list.
Florida police encourage people to evacuate
No matter how reluctant people are to leave their home, authorities are urging those living in areas threatened by Hurricane Milton to evacuate.
The debris left by Helene on the streets shows how catastrophic and potentially life-threatening hurricanes can be.
What does a hurricane's central pressure mean about its strength?
One of the main indicators the National Hurricane Service releases periodically in the lead-up to a storm is the central pressure in the eye of the hurricane. The measure looks at the atmospheric pressure in the center, which indicates whether the storm is losing or gaining power.
Around 4:30 CDT, the NHS updated its public advisory, reporting that the "central pressure in the eye of Milton has fallen to an estimated 905 MB." Under typical conditions, the atmospheric pressure is 1013.25 MB. Pressure is falling in Hurricane Milton's eye, meaning that the storm is intensifying. A lower pressure typically means a more intense storm, and as a storm decreases in power, the pressure steadily increases. Yesterday, the indicator fell below 900, making it one of the lowest-pressure storms to hit the Atlantic on record and the most powerful since Hurricane Rita in 2005.
Last day to evacuate
The National Hurricane Service is warning residents of Florida that today is the last day to evacuate. Since Monday evening, the number of counties that have imposed evacuation orders has grown considerably.
However, some residents are reporting that there is not sufficient information on where shelters will be open and that they see hotel prices skyrocket as demand surges in north Florida and the surrounding states.
Astonishing view of Hurricane Milton from Space
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominik posted the image to X.
Welcome
As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, residents are bracing for what could be one of the most catastrophic storms in decades. It is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area today, bringing severe flooding and a dangerous storm surge of up to 15 feet.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which recently devastated parts of Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 35 counties. The urgency is palpable as officials prepare for mass evacuations and mobilize resources to assist those still recovering from the previous storm.