from Your News:
President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, now categorized as a Category 5 storm.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Hurricane Milton has now intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, with President Joe Biden approving an emergency declaration for Florida on Monday, Oct. 7. The National Hurricane Center confirmed that Milton is currently located 715 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, as of 11:55 a.m. ET, with maximum sustained winds reaching 160 mph.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the data came from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft that recorded the storm’s increase in strength. “The maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 160 mph (250 kph) with higher gusts,” stated the center.
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Despite this escalation, the storm is expected to weaken before making landfall. The latest forecast advisory places Hurricane Milton just southwest of St. Pete Beach, Florida, with winds of 125 mph by 8 p.m. ET on Oct. 9. After crossing the Florida Peninsula, it is forecast to remain a Category 1 storm upon entering the Atlantic Ocean, with winds sustained at 90 mph.
Storm surges ranging from 8 to 12 feet are anticipated along the Tampa Bay area and Florida’s west coast, spanning from the Anclote River down to Englewood. For reference, the maximum storm surge in Tampa Bay after Hurricane Helene reached just over seven feet.
“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the west coast of the Florida peninsula starting Tuesday night or early Wednesday,” the National Hurricane Center warned. Storm surge and hurricane watches are now active for those areas, with residents strongly advised to evacuate if ordered by local authorities.
Evacuation orders have already been issued in multiple counties, with additional orders anticipated throughout the day. Should Milton make landfall in the Tampa Bay region, it will be the first such occurrence in more than a century.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 35 counties on the west coast and has since extended that declaration to cover 51 counties across the state. President Biden’s approval of the emergency declaration will allow for federal assistance starting Oct. 5, with 75 percent federal funding for emergency protective measures—including direct federal aid—targeting 37 counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota.
Additional counties, such as Taylor, Madison, and Alachua, are also receiving limited federal aid for direct assistance. Local officials urge residents to stay informed and prepare as Hurricane Milton approaches.
