Threat to Florida's west coast increased with Hurricane Milton

Milton strengthened from a tropical storm into a hurricane on Sunday, increasing the threat to Florida's west coast, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

“While it is too soon to specify the exact magnitude and location of the greatest impacts, there is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday,” the National Hurricane Center said in a forecast discussion Sunday.

The NHC also gave a warning about "5 to 8 inches" of rainfall "with localized totals
up to 12 inches ... expected across portions of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys through Wednesday night" in an advisory Sunday.

According to the NHC, the storm is currently in the Gulf of Mexico off of Mexico's east coast.

Milton comes shortly after Hurricane Helene, which caused mass destruction in the Southeast, most notably in western North Carolina. Helene’s damage could total more than $160 billion, according to estimates.

“Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches could be issued later today or tonight,” the NHC said in their discussion Sunday. “Residents in the Florida Peninsula should follow any advice given by local officials and check back for updates to the forecast.” 

In a post on the social platform X, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Sunday he is “closely monitoring” the storm.

“We are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Milton, which has the potential to become a major hurricane,” DeSantis said in his post.

“Current estimates forecast landfall sometime Wednesday afternoon — there is still time to prepare your homes, organize your disaster plan, and implement plans to keep yourself and your family safe,” he added. “We've mobilized state assets to supplement local governments in an unprecedented debris removal mission for areas that suffered damage from Hurricane Helene and are currently in the projected path of Milton.”