Hurricane Milton Expected To Double In Size Before Florida Landfall

Hurricane Milton, which forecasters have warned could be the worst storm to hit the Tampa Bay area in 100 years, is expected to get twice as big as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida.

“The official forecast shows the hurricane and tropical-storm-force winds roughly doubling in size by the time it makes landfall,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Tuesday. “Therefore, damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall will extend well outside the forecast cone.”

Here are the Tuesday 10 am CDT #Hurricane #Milton Key Messages – The latest full advisory is at https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/rNlYvXT3XV

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 8, 2024

A “forecast cone,” as defined by the agency, “represents the probable track of the center of a tropical cyclone.” Often mistaken as a depiction of the entire breadth of a hurricane, the cone used in NHC graphics does not necessarily show how far the effects of a storm can reach.

Milton strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane on Monday but has since been downgraded to Category 4. Forecasters warn it will still be a powerful hurricane with the potential for “catastrophic” damage upon reaching Florida. Landfall will likely happen Wednesday night along the western coast of the state.

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“It is worth emphasizing that this is a very serious situation and residents in Florida should closely follow orders from their local emergency management officials,” NHC said. “Evacuations and other preparations should be completed today. Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.”

Cities across the state, including Miami, are bracing for Hurricane Milton. Evacuation orders have been issued along the Gulf Coast, and shelters have been opened for those seeking refuge. Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in dozens of counties and suspended tolls to help people on the move.

The Tampa Bay area, which got submerged when Hurricane Helene slammed Florida less than two weeks ago, could get hit hard once again with Milton unleashing up to 15 feet of storm surge.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, a Democrat, issued a dire warning during a Monday evening interview on CNN. “I can say this without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die,” she declared.