Hurricane update: Milton now Category 4 storm ahead of Florida landfall

TAMPA, Fla. – Hurricane Milton continued on its path to the west coast of Florida on Wednesday, likely to remain a major hurricane when it finally makes landfall. 

The Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3.3 million people, faced the possibility of widespread destruction after avoiding direct hits from major hurricanes for more than a century. 

The monster storm maintained strength overnight but fell to a Category 4 on Wednesday morning. Forecasters predict that it will likely remain a major hurricane when it makes landfall later on Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning.

“Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida,” the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday were being briefed on preparations for Hurricane Milton, as well as the ongoing response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene across the Southeast.  

Later on Wednesday, Biden was also scheduled to deliver remarks to the nation. 

Hurricane Milton’s current path

Milton was centered about 300 miles southwest of Tampa early Wednesday with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, the hurricane center reported. 

It was moving northeast at 14 mph early Wednesday and was expected to continue moving in that direction with an increase in its forward speed through Wednesday night, with landfall expected late Wednesday or early Thursday morning. 

It was expected to turn toward the east-northeast and east on Thursday and Friday.

Hurricane Milton watches and warnings

Milton storm surge forecast 

Hurricane Milton wind gust forecast 

Time is running out to evacuate 

Millions of residents were ordered to evacuate ahead of the coming storm and officials warned that stragglers would face grim odds of surviving.

Thousands of fleeing cars clogged Florida’s highways, but time for evacuations was running out Wednesday. 

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor noted that up to 15 feet of storm surge forecast for her city would be deep enough to swallow an entire house.

“So if you’re in it, basically that’s the coffin that you’re in,” Castor said.