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When and where will the storm hit Florida?

Posted on by Vanessa
When and where will the storm hit Florida?

Hurricane Milton was a Category 5 hurricane late Tuesday but has now returned to Category 4. The storm is heading toward the Tampa area and is expected to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast soon.

Less than two weeks after Helene ripped through the southern United States, Milton will make landfall as a “dangerous major hurricane,” according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Milton Live Updates: Hurricane Milton strengthens to Category 5 as it approaches Florida

When will Hurricane Milton make landfall?

The storm is expected to make landfall late Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning.

Despite the impending landfall, areas of Florida are already feeling the effects of the storm.

The state will experience hurricane and tropical storm-force winds throughout Wednesday. Tornadoes are already occurring in areas of Southwest Florida.

Where is Milton? Hurricane Milton tracker: “Extremely dangerous” storm hits Florida again

However, those wishing to evacuate may still have time to do so in the morning.

“Most people have evacuated, but there is still some time this morning for the last people who have been hesitant to evacuate,” Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa, told USA TODAY.

Where will it land?

Davis said Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in the Manatee Couty/Sarasota County area on the west coast of Central Florida, more or less 50 miles north or south, said Davis, who also advised people not to focus on where it might make landfall.

“We advise people not to focus exactly on the center because as the system makes landfall, the eye gets bigger and the wind field gets bigger,” Davis said. “Even if you are not directly on the path, the impact at the landing point will be felt far and wide.”

Hurricane Milton Tracker

Hurricane Milton Spaghetti Models

The illustrations span a range of forecasting tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center only uses the four or five best-performing models in its forecasts.

Hurricane Milton Live Stream

Watch live as Hurricane Milton heads toward Florida.

Life-threatening storm

According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm surge in Milton represents an “extremely life-threatening situation.”

“Milton has the potential to be one of the most devastating hurricanes ever for West Central Florida,” warns NHC Specialist John Cangialosi.

The state will see 5 to 12 inches of rainfall, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. Areas in the central to northern portion of the Florida Peninsula could receive up to 18 inches of rain.

People should hurry to prepare for extended power outages and “protect lives and property,” the National Hurricane Center warned.

“Life-threatening” flooding is also possible, the center said.

“We just need people to take this very seriously,” Davis said. “This will be a devastating event.”

Featuring: Gabe Hauari, Anthony Robledo, Eric Lagatta John Bacon, Trevor Hughes, Dinah Voyles Pulver, Christopher Cann, Michael Loria, Thao Nguyen, Samantha Neely, Jennifer Sangalang, Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY

Julia is a trends reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her LinkedInkeep following her X, formerly Twitter, Instagram And TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]

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