NEWS: Hurricane Milton Strengthens to Category 5 Ahead of Florida Landfall

Another massive hurricane is set to batter Florida and potentially Walt Disney World.

Just weeks after Hurricane Helene slammed into the state as part of an overall path of destruction across the Southeastern United States, another massive hurricane is moving toward the Sunshine State in the form of Hurricane Milton.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), as of 12:00PM EST on October 7th, Milton has strengthened to a Category 5 storm, with winds up to 160 miles per hour. The storm, currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to continue east-southeast on its path on Monday the 7th, followed by a turn toward the east and northeast on Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th.

…MILTON RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES INTO A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE…

Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Milton has strengthened to a category 5. The max sustained winds are estimated to be 160 mph with higher gusts. https://t.co/dv1LkCViaN pic.twitter.com/zUwi2CNJhi

— National Hurricane Center (@NWSNHC) October 7, 2024

Currently, the following warnings are in effect for areas of Mexico and the United States.

The NHC has just issued their 11am #Milton advisory; Here's a look… More of course today on WESH 2 News… pic.twitter.com/UhpvE4sigV

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) October 7, 2024

These are bound to change and evolve as the storm gains strength and moves closer to landfall:

A Hurricane Warning from:

• Celestun to Rio Lagartos
• Northern Lake
• Orange County
• Osceola County
• Seminole County
• Southern Lake

A Hurricane Watch from:

• Coastal Indian River
• Inland Indian River
• Inland Northern Brevard County
• Inland Southern Brevard County
• Inland Volusia County
• Mainland Northern Brevard County
• Mainland Southern Brevard County

A Storm Surge Watch from:

• Coastal Volusia County
• Northern Brevard Barrier Islands
• Southern Brevard Barrier Islands

A Tropical Storm Warning from:

• Okeechobee County

A Tropical Storm Watch from:

• Coastal Martin
• Coastal Saint Lucie
• Inland Martin
• Inland Saint Lucie

Currently, more than 50 Florida counties are under a state of emergency, and according to Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the state is “preparing for the largest evacuation that we have seen, most likely since 2017, Hurricane Irma.”

10/7 4am CDT: There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge from #Milton for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Residents should follow any advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so. pic.twitter.com/ZsO9endBMG

— NHC Storm Surge (@NHC_Surge) October 7, 2024

On Sunday, Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis said of the storm, “You have time to prepare — all day today, all day Monday, probably all day Tuesday to be sure your hurricane preparedness plan is in place. If you’re on that west coast of Florida, barrier islands, just assume you’ll be asked to leave.”

Our reporters located in Central Florida noted that traffic is heavier than usual as Floridians prepare for the hurricane. Several of the states airports are on monitoring the storm as well.

Tampa International Airport has announced it’s closing on Tuesday:

? TPA TO CLOSE DUE TO MILTON ?⁰
? We will suspend flight operations at 9 a.m. Tuesday and reopen when safe to do so⁰⁰✈️ Check directly with your airline for flight updates⁰⁰⛈️ TPA is not a shelter for people or vehicles⁰⁰? Stay tuned to our social media for more info pic.twitter.com/G4UxrR0BpP

— Tampa International Airport ✈️ (@FlyTPA) October 7, 2024

At the same time, Orlando International Airport (MCO) is also monitoring the storm.

Operational Update/2 – Hurricane Milton
We continue to monitor the status of Hurricane Milton. Meetings are being held today & tomorrow with airport leadership & partnering agencies. Updates will be posted as received. Contact your airline in regards to your travel plans. pic.twitter.com/GAJOofIpHN

— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) October 7, 2024

Hurricane Milton is barreling towards Florida with tremendous ferocity leaving the state, as well as other areas in the Gulf region, threatened by its massive power. Stay tuned to AllEars for further coverage of the storm as it nears landfall.