Hurricane Milton live updates: Path, forecast, affected areas, evacuations and preparations in Florida
Hurricane Milton: Live tracker
Stay with us for the latest on Hurricane Milton as it barrels toward the Sunshine State.
The storm has developed into a Category 5 fueled by above-average temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is expected to reach Florida on Wednesday afternoon, bringing with it life-threatening conditions, including heavy rain, high winds, and massive storm surge.
Already, a handful of counties in Florida have imposed mandatory evacuation orders, as storm surge is predicted to reach more than twelve feet (or more) along the state's west coast. This storm comes less than a month after Hurricane Helene decimated much of the northern portion of the West Coast, leaving those already reeling from the dead impacts of these storms in the line of fire again.
The latest from AS USA on Hurricane Milton:
Since 1924 there have been 41 Category 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin, including the most recent, Hurricane Beryl, which occurred in July this year.
Category 5 is the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which measures the intensity of tropical cyclones. Where a hurricane falls within the scale, going from 1, the weakest, to 5, the most powerful, is determined by sustained wind speed in the tempest. A storm becomes a Category 5, or ‘catastrophic’, when it sustains winds of at least 157 miles per hour and there is no upward limit.
Orlando International Airport to halt commercial passenger flights from 8am ET on Wednesday
The airport, in collaboration with federal and airline partners, agreed to cease commercial operations to prevent aircraft from operating under unsafe weather conditions for landings and take-offs.
Hurricane Milton is now a 175 MPH Category 5 storm
Hurricane Milton is now a 175 MPH Category 5 storm and tied as the 4th strongest Atlantic hurricane in history.
From Cancun this morning
Another video shot in Cancun again where the electrical activity from the severe weather can be appreciated.
Florida on the move
More than 1 million residents have been told to evacuate ahead of the imminent arrival of Hurricane Milton.
The evacuation is already leading to severe traffic jams in parts of the state.
Welcome
As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, we will be providing live updates on its trajectory, impact, and preparations across the state. Currently classified as a Category 5 hurricane, Milton is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday, bringing with it dangerous winds, heavy rainfall, and significant storm surges.
With evacuation orders in place and a state still recovering from Hurricane Helene, the situation is critical. Stay tuned for real-time updates as we track the storm's progress and provide essential information on evacuation routes, safety measures, and community resources.