Source – MILTON FORECAST TO STRENGTHEN AND BRING THE RISK OF LIFE-THREATENING IMPACTS TO PORTIONS OF THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA NEXT WEEK.
Florida is already expected to see rainfall outside of the storm on Sunday and Monday. Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Milton is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the hurricane center.
“This rainfall brings the risk of flash, urban and areal flooding, along with minor to isolated moderate river flooding,” meteorologists said.
Outside of Tropical Storm Milton, Hurricane Kirk, currently a Category 3 hurricane, is generating swells that are expected to bring “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions” to the U.S. East Coast by Sunday.
- Milton is forecast to quickly intensify while it moves eastward to northeastward across the Gulf of Mexico and be at or near major hurricane strength when it reaches the west coast of the Florida Peninsula mid week.
- There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning late Tuesday or Wednesday. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, follow any advice given by local officials, and check back for updates to
the forecast. - Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida Sunday and Monday well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to the system expected later on Tuesday through Wednesday night. This rainfall brings the risk of flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with minor to moderate river flooding.
After making landfall with 140 mph winds, the storm moved inland across the Southeast, leaving more than 200 people dead and leaving widespread destruction in its wake.
Following the storm, the state’s infrastructure and emergency services have been stretched thin. As of Saturday afternoon, thousands of utility customers were still without power in Florida.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, but the peak of heightened activity is usually from August through October. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a “typical” hurricane season in the Atlantic will usually see around 14 named storms, “of which seven become hurricanes and three become major hurricanes.”
As of early October, eight hurricanes formed in the Atlantic — with Milton becoming the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
As CNN notes, hurricane season is running ahead of the expected schedule. Typically, the 13th storm of the season wouldn’t hit until at least Oct. 25.
Earlier this week, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned that the Federal Emergency Management Agency did not have the funds to make it through the season.
