In response to Tropical Storm Milton's progression, Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency across 35 Florida counties, including Miami-Dade. "As Tropical Storm Milton gains strength in the Gulf, I've issued Executive Order 24-214 in anticipation of its potential landfall on Florida's west coast this week. This order places 35 counties under a state of emergency," the governor announced on his X account.
While many are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, DeSantis has directed the coordination of all available personnel and resources to support local communities, emphasizing accelerated debris removal in the impacted areas. "We will continue deploying state resources to ensure efficient search and rescue operations, power restoration, and road clearing," he elaborated.
The counties affected include Miami-Dade, Broward, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia.
Escalating Threat from the Gulf
DeSantis' order highlights that the tropical storm emerged in the Gulf of Mexico, with expectations of rapid intensification into a hurricane by early Monday. The storm is projected to become a major hurricane upon making landfall on Florida's west coast next week.
"This severe weather could lead to power outages, infrastructure damage, and could hinder recovery efforts from previous storms," the document warns. There's a growing threat of life-threatening storm surges and wind impacts starting Tuesday and Wednesday, with heavy rainfall expected throughout Florida, particularly affecting Gulf Coast communities still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Current Storm Status and Predictions
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton has intensified, currently boasting winds around 85 km/h, advancing slowly yet steadily toward Florida's west coast. As of 5:00 am local time, the storm was approximately 355 miles (565 km) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and about 845 miles (1,360 km) west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, moving at a sluggish 5 mph (7 km/h).
Meteorological authorities have cautioned that Milton could escalate into a hurricane by Sunday night and may further evolve into a major hurricane as it traverses the central and eastern Gulf of Mexico. It's expected to continue its east-northeast trajectory over the next two days before accelerating northeastward.
The storm is anticipated to reach Florida's west coast by midweek, bringing heavy rainfall and potential flooding. Rainfall totals are projected between 5 to 8 inches across the Florida peninsula and the Keys, with possible peaks of up to 12 inches in certain areas. This heightens the risk of sudden and urban flooding due to already saturated grounds, as well as river overflows. Rain is also predicted for the northern Yucatán Peninsula and western Cuba.