Hurricane Milton to bring “life-threatening” destruction to Florida

As of 7 a.m. CDT on Oct. 8, Hurricane Milton is now classified as a Category 5 hurricane, having intensified overnight with reported winds of 145 mph.

The National Hurricane Center reports that Milton is expected to grow in size and remain an extremely dangerous hurricane when it approaches the west coast of Florida and makes landfall on Wednesday (Oct.9). A large destructive area of storm surge will occur along parts of Florida’s west coast, and Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches are now in effect for portions of the west coast of the Florida peninsula, with residents of those areas being urged to follow evacuation orders, if necessary and/or enacted.

Evacuation orders now in place

Milton is forecast to remain a hurricane as it crosses the Florida peninsula and life-threatening, hurricane force winds, especially in gusts, are expected across the peninsula. The NHC is urging residents of the area that “preparations to protect life and property in the warning areas should be complete by tonight.” Heavy rainfall is expected in portions of Florida through early Thursday.

A statement by Visit Florida reports that “Milton has the potential to be one of the most  destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.”

Evacuation orders are now in place for 18 counties, including 11 of which have a mandatory order in effect.

Florida residents continue to clean up the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which slammed Florida’s Gulf Coast on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 hurricane, with winds reaching more than 140mph (225km/h) and a 15ft (4.5m) storm surge.

This is a developing story.