Formerly known as Tropical Depression 14, the system has rapidly intensified into Tropical Storm Milton, with the potential to soon escalate to hurricane status and impact Florida's west coast, possibly by Tuesday, as reported by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami. "Continued strengthening is expected, posing life-threatening risks to parts of Florida's west coast next week," the NHC stated in its most recent update on this weather event.
Milton's maximum sustained winds have reached 40 mph (65 km/h), with even stronger gusts, and the storm is currently tracking east-northeast. Positioned in the Gulf of Mexico, it lies approximately 355 kilometers northeast of Veracruz and about 590 kilometers northwest of Progreso, both in Mexico.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in the United States predicts that Milton will "rapidly intensify" as it moves east-northeast across the Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to approach or achieve major hurricane status upon nearing Florida's west coast by mid-next week.
Given this situation, the NWS warns of "an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surges and winds" for parts of Florida's west coast starting Tuesday or Wednesday. Residents in the potentially affected regions are urged to finalize their hurricane emergency plans, heed local authorities' advice, and stay updated with the latest forecasts.
Heavy rains are forecast for Sunday and Monday in Florida, with potential flash flooding risks. This news comes as a significant blow to the Sunshine State, which is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Helene, which struck as a Category 4 hurricane last week, left at least 215 dead in the United States and hundreds missing.
Helene made landfall in northwest Florida on September 26, causing widespread destruction to roads, bridges, and communities and leaving more than 700,000 homes without power, predominantly in North Carolina, where the death toll exceeded one hundred. Helene was the deadliest hurricane in the United States since Katrina in 2005, which claimed over 1,800 lives.