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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Hurricane Milton is currently a very strong Category 4 storm on Tuesday, located about 600 miles away from the east coast of Florida. It's predicted to restrengthen into a Category 5.

Ahead of Milton making landfall near Tampa Bay and Sarasota late Wednesday night or after midnight Thursday, it will encounter some shear and drier air, which will help the system weaken slightly.

"This is certainly an overnight event into Thursday morning," WPTV First Alert Weather meteorologist Jennifer Correa said.

TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide

Despite the light weakening, it will still be a system that causes concern and life-threatening conditions.

There are mandatory evacuations along the west coast of Florida due to storm surge concerns. Loose debris from Hurricane Helene two weeks ago that hasn't been cleaned up or secured will be life-threatening, as it will be lashed across the area with the strong winds.

"Parts of St. Lucie County, Martin County, northwestern Palm Beach County, and the lake under that slight risk for isolated flash flooding," Correa said. "More flash flooding, though, expected across northern parts of Okeechobee, Indian River counties."

MORE WEATHER: Radar | Alerts | 7-Day Forecast | Hourly Forecast

We will experience increasing winds on Tuesday with more scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon and into the early evening hours.

The threat for tornadic activity will increase Wednesday morning, and the threat for tropical storm force winds will exist Wednesday through Thursday.

Correa said the strongest winds in our viewing area — especially in Indian River and Okeechobee counties — will likely be between 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. Thursday. Then as we get closer to 10 a.m. and noon, Milton's center will start to exit and the winds won't be as breezy.

"As we get into your Wednesday, this is going to be one of your impact days from Milton," WPTV First Alert Weather meteorologist Frances Peyton said. "A lot of good rainfall moves across the area Wednesday morning and continues into the afternoon and evening timeframe."

Peyton said the wind will really pick up starting Wednesday afternoon, with gusts of anywhere between 30 to 70 mph possible, along with additional rainfall totals of one to three inches.

"The farther north you go, the stronger the winds are going to be," Peyton said. "We're going to expect to see some winds gusts up to 75 miles per hour, especially near the peak of this near Wednesday night into Thursday."

Peyton added that strong winds and a tornado threat could linger into Thursday. Drier air will eventually move into South Florida starting on Friday.

Hurricane Milton is fast moving and looks to cross the state in a matter of about 10 hours after landfall.

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Kimberly Miller

Hurricane Milton's dizzying ascent into the record books slacked Tuesday, Oct. 8, but its slip in sustained wind speeds did not dull the briny ruin and heartbreak headed to the Sunshine State.

The National Hurricane Center predicts that Hurricane Milton will reach the central west coast of Florida late Wednesday or in the predawn darkness of Thursday morning as a major hurricane pumping killer storm surge of up to 15 feet into the state's porous beaches and inlets between Cape Coral and Crystal River.

All of South Florida, including Palm Beach County, is under a tropical storm warning, which was was newly issued Tuesday morning. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected within 36 hours.

The middle of Milton's forecast track cone, which has remained relatively consistent but ticked slightly south early Tuesday, takes it near the vulnerable Tampa Bay area. In a worse case scenario, Milton could bring an annihilation scenario that National Weather Service meteorologists said would be the most devastating to impact Tampa in more than a century.

"No one in this area has ever experienced a hurricane this strong before," NWS meteorologists in Tampa Bay wrote in a forecast discussion.

As of 11a.m. Tuesday, Milton was 520 miles southwest of Tampa with 150 mph winds and moving east-northeast at 9 mph. The sustained wind speeds are down from a mind-boggling 180 mph on Monday.

All of South Florida is under a flood watch through Thursday morning with heavy rains expected ahead of and associated with Milton.

Widespread rainfall of 2 to 4 inches with up to 7 inches in localized areas is expected across most of South Florida through Thursday.

West Palm Beach has a 60% chance of feeling sustained tropical storm force winds of beginning Wednesday evening through Thursday. Tornadoes will also be possible in South Florida Tuesday night through Thursday morning. Power outages are likely.

In the Treasure Coast, Martin and St. Lucie counties were under a tropical storm warning Tuesday with Indian River County under a hurricane warning. As with Palm Beach County, continued rainfall through Tuesday is not associated with Milton. Whatever Milton brings will fall on saturated ground, increasing the risk for trees to be uprooted in high winds.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Jessie Schaper said Treasure Coast residents should prepare for Category 1 hurricane conditions or “at least a Tropical Storm.”

Despite some weakening after Milton makes landfall, it is forecast to remain a hurricane as it cuts through the state and into the Atlantic Ocean. Sustained winds in Palm Beach County could reach up to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph.

On Tuesday morning, Milton's lowest central pressure — a measure of a storm's power as intense inner winds spiral toward a swirling core — had increased to 924 mb.

More:Palm Beach County is under a tropical storm warning. Here's what to expect

That's up from a shocking 897 mb on Monday, which made it the lowest pressure for an Atlantic hurricane since 2005's Wilma. Since 1979, only three Atlantic basin storms have had pressures lower than Milton at 897. Those were Wilma's 882 mb, Gilbert's 888 mb, and Rita's 895 mb, according to Colorado State University hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach.

"There is nothing to be confused about here," said FOX Weather hurricane specialist Bryan McNoldy in his Hurricane Intel blog. "Yes, you might have 'been through hurricanes before.' But you weren't through the 1921 storm that put water over much of Pinellas County, or the 1848 hurricane that put 15 feet of Gulf water where downtown Tampa is today."

The NHC is forecasting up to 15 feet in areas from Englewood to the Anclote River, which includes Tampa Bay. Areas south of Englewood to Bonita Beach could get up to 12 feet, with spots south of that between 3 and 7 feet.

Sandy Stillwell-Youngquist lives along the Caloosahatchee River in southwest Florida where the coast could see as much as 12 feet of peak storm surge. She's in an evacuation zone but with a storm-hardened home, she's staying put. As an owner of eight restaurants and an inn — all on barrier islands — she's worried about what Milton will bring and how much it will delay repairs ongoing from Hurricane Ian in 2022.

"We were hoping to reopen by Christmas," she said about Ian-damaged restaurants. "But I think we have a setback."

About 20 Florida counties had issued evacuation orders early Tuesday. That includes from inland counties such as Glades and Okeechobee where people in low-lying areas or in mobile homes were asked to go to find shelter elsewhere during the storm.

While traffic leaving the central-west coast was heavy Monday, it cleared up some overnight before getting cramped again after sunrise. State officials are using shoulder lanes to help move traffic along and escort fuel trucks to gas stations where long lines were also reported in some areas.

"Please do not wait until the last minute to leave," said Florida Director of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie.

If Milton makes landfall as a major hurricane it will be the second hit to Florida this season by a Category 3 storm or higher following Hurricane Helene's Category 4 landfall Sept. 26 in the Big Bend region. Only three other years on record have had two major landfalls in Florida. Those include 1950's hurricanes Easy and King, 2004's hurricanes Charley and Jean, and 2005's hurricanes Dennis and Wilma.

No years have had three major landfalls in Florida, said Klotzbach. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan technically made landfall in Alabama as a major hurricane although it brought storm surge of 10 to 15 feet along the western portion of Florida's Panhandle, according to the NHC's post storm report.

A storm surge inundation map shows water driving a few miles inland from the immediate coast, especially for communities within the bays and along rivers connected to the Gulf of Mexico, said Cody Fritz, who leads the storm surge unit at the NHC. He said Milton's surge is predicted to be "much worse" for areas within Tampa Bay and adjacent areas to the south compared to Helene.

Milton remained a compact storm early Tuesday with hurricane-force winds that extended 30 miles from its center, and tropical storm-force winds that reached as far as 105 miles. But the wind field is expected to nearly double in size as it closes in on Florida.

"It is worth emphasizing that this is a very serious situation and residents of Florida should closely follow orders from their local emergency management officials," said NHC senior hurricane specialist John Cangialosi in a forecast. "Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida."

Treasure Coast Newspapers reporter Corey Arwood contributed to this story.

Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate, weather, and the environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.

WPBF 25 First Warning meteorologists are continuing to track Milton, which became a hurricane Sunday.

Here are the statuses for schools in our area:

Schools will be closed Tuesday, Oct. 8, through Thursday, Oct. 10. The school district anticipates it will reopen Friday. All after-school and extended-day activities scheduled for Monday will continue as planned.

Martin County schools will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10. After-school activities for Tuesday, Oct. 8, are also canceled.

The school district says, "Employees who hold the designation of essential personnel as indicated on their job descriptions may be asked to report to their work sites on Thursday should weather conditions permit."

The Martin Bowl football game between Martin County and South Fork high schools has been rescheduled to Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. at Martin County High School.

Indiantown High School and Clark Advanced Learning Center (charter schools)

Okeechobee County

The school district of Okeechobee County announced Sunday that its schools will be closed Tuesday, Oct. 8, through Thursday, Oct. 10.

“On Monday, Oct. 7, all middle and high school campus activities will end at 5 p.m. and all elementary schools will operate as usual until 6 p.m. when aftercare services end. All athletic and extracurricular activities scheduled to take place tomorrow evening have been canceled.”

Palm Beach County schools will close Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10. This includes extracurricular activities, aftercare programs, sports and school meetings.

Schools will remain open Tuesday, Oct. 8. This includes aftercare programs. Other after school events, meetings, adult programs and sports are canceled.

District schools and offices are expected to reopen Friday.

Private schools

Pine Crest: "Pine Crest (Preparatory) School's Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale classes and extended day care will take place as scheduled on Tuesday, October 8. After-school activities are canceled. Both campuses will close on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10, and all after-school activities are canceled. A decision regarding Friday, October 11 will be communicated on Thursday."

St. Mark's Episcopal School: "St. Mark's Episcopal School, 3395 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, will be closed on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10 due to Hurricane Milton. All after-school activities are canceled. Friday, October 11 is a Teacher Work Day, and there is no school for students."

The Benjamin School: "Due to inclement weather, The Benjamin School will be closed on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10. In addition, all after-school activities (with the exception of Lower School After Care) are canceled on Tuesday."

All St. Lucie County public schools and district offices will be closed Tuesday, Oct. 8, through Thursday, Oct. 10. The district is opening shelters at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy and Treasure Coast High School starting Tuesday at 2 p.m.

This is in conjunction with the St. Lucie Emergency Operations Center.

Florida colleges and universities

Below are statements from Florida colleges and universities.

Florida A&M University: "Due to the forecasted rapid intensification of Hurricane Milton, the following schedule changes will apply to ensure the safety of all students, faculty, and staff:"

Florida Atlantic University: "Due to the projected path of Hurricane Milton, all Florida Atlantic campuses will suspend operations and classes, including online classes, effective 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 through Thursday, Oct. 10.

A decision about Friday, Oct. 11 operations and classes will be made as information becomes available."

Palm Beach State College: "Due to weather conditions associated with Hurricane Milton, Palm Beach State College will be closed on Tuesday, Oct. 8 and Wednesday, October 9."

Florida Gulf Coast University: Remote classes on Monday, Oct. 7; campus closed Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Indian River State College: "Indian River State College will close all campuses at 5 p.m., today, October 7, 2024, in preparation for Hurricane Milton. The closure affects all employees, students, and visitors, and includes the cancellation of all classes, including online courses, and campus events. The College will remain closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, October 8 – 10, 2024. The College anticipates reopening on Friday, October 11, 2024, 8 a.m., but students, employees, and visitors are encouraged to check for updates."

Palm Beach Atlantic University: "Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) will close its West Palm Beach campus at 5 p.m. and its Orlando campus at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8. Academic instruction will continue remotely from Monday, October 7, through Friday, October 11. While the campus closures are anticipated to last only through Wednesday, a thorough assessment will be done following the storm before reopening. We encourage all members of the community to take necessary precautions to stay safe during Hurricane Milton and to keep those affected by the storm in their prayers."

Lynn University: "Campus is closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10, as we anticipate heavy rain and wind. All classes and activities are also canceled. The dining commons and fitness center will remain open for on-campus residents."

University of Central Florida: "In anticipation of Hurricane Milton’s arrival — and to give our community time to leave the area, prepare for the storm and return — UCF will suspend operations on all campuses and all classes, including online classes, from Tuesday, Oct. 8, through Thursday, Oct. 10.

"Standard operations will continue through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, and are planned to resume at 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11. Following the storm, we will assess campus and local conditions and provide more specific updates about our anticipated Friday reopening.

We are making this decision in the interest of our community’s safety and well-being and will continue to closely monitor the latest forecasts and provide updates as necessary. We encourage you to use this time to take storm preparations seriously before the onset of severe weather."

University of Florida: "Due to Hurricane Milton, the University of Florida will close its offices and cancel classes, including online classes, beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 and continuing through Thursday, Oct. 10. All academic and student-related activities, including online classes and exams, will also be canceled during that time."

University of South Florida: Campus is closed Monday, Oct. 7, Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Wednesday, Oct. 9.

The WPBF 25 2024 Hurricane Season Forecast

(This story was updated at 6:15 p.m. Monday with new information).

Hurricane Milton, a monster Category 5 storm in the Gulf now packing winds up to 180 mph, could bring as much as 12-15 inches of rain along with hurricane-force winds to Volusia and Flagler counties by Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

As of 5 p.m. Monday, a hurricane watch has been issued for Volusia and Flagler counties, with a storm surge watch issued for coastal Volusia and Flagler counties as well.

Volusia County ordered evacuations and curfews for Wednesday as Hurricane Milton moved toward the area, county officials said at a press conference on Monday.

Residents are urged to complete last-minute preparations by Tuesday as the storm continues to strengthen over the Gulf of Mexico on a trek toward Florida’s west coast, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that Milton had strengthened to a category 5 hurricane shortly before noon Monday, according to the NHC. The maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 160 mph.

Hurricane and storm surge warnings have now been issued for portions of Florida's Gulf Coast ahead of the storm. Devastating impacts are forecast for the state, from life-threatening storm surges, flooding rain, and damaging winds.

In Volusia and Flagler counties periods of heavy rain and a risk of localized flooding will continue through Tuesday ahead of the system’s anticipated arrival on Wednesday.

As of 5 p.m. Monday, Hurricane Milton was a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm was about 700 miles southwest of Tampa, moving east at 9 mph.

In Volusia, potential for 12 inches of rain, hurricane-force winds

In east central Florida, including Volusia and Flagler, flooding rainfall and wind appear to be the primary hazards from Milton, the NWS states.

“Residents and visitors should enact their hurricane preparedness kit and plan no later than Tuesday, and continue to closely monitor forecast updates on this strong and dangerous system,” according to the latest advisory.

“In addition, residents and visitors across east central Florida are urged to prepare for strong tropical storm and hurricane-force wind gusts. There will be a high risk for flooding rainfall potential.”

In Volusia County, there’s the potential for 6-10 inches of rainfall from the storm, with locally higher amounts of 12 inches possible, said Tim Sedlock, a meteorologist with the NWS in Melbourne.

The worst of the storm’s effects will start to arrive by Wednesday afternoon and are expected to continue through at least Thursday morning, Sedlock said.

In Volusia, that also will include sustained tropical storm force winds, with occasional hurricane force gusts, according to the latest forecast models, Sedlock said. That could change, he emphasized.

“At this point, it looks like the storm is forecast to make landfall a little south of Tampa and right now we have it exiting around Cape Canaveral on Thursday morning,” he said. “But it is still a few days away. It could change a little bit either way.”

According to the NWS, major flooding from heavy rain may prompt the need for evacuations and multiple rescues. Rivers and streams may quickly overflow in multiple places. Streams, canals and ditches may become dangerous rivers.

In such situations, the NWS advises that flooding can enter structures, and driving conditions may become dangerous with many roads and bridges closed and others weakened or washed out.

“It’s possible we’ll see some watches (for Volusia County) go up later this morning (on Monday) or early this afternoon,” Sedlock said. “We’ll probably see some coastal effects late overnight Wednesday and Thursday."

“North-northeasterly wind from the storm also may cause some beach erosion and the storm could breach vulnerable dunes,” Sedlock said. “We could see some damage to docks and piers, as well.”

In Flagler, as much as 15 inches of rain possible

In Flagler County, Milton’s anticipated midweek landfall is expected to bring the risk of damaging winds, flooding rainfall, and storm surge to northeast Florida including Palm Coast and Flagler Beach.

Strong onshore winds will bring deteriorating marine, tidal flooding, and rainfall impacts to the local area ahead of Milton through Tuesday night, according to an NWS advisory.

Potential impacts in Flagler County include:

Forecasters urge those in the area to monitor forecasts as a more northward track would bring more significant local impacts.

Daytona Beach weather radar

October 7, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Diane G. Papadakos, Director of Communications City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office dpapadakos@wpb.org (561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

West Palm Beach Prepares and Deploys Crews Ahead of Hurricane MiltonResidents should clear swales and debris from properties now

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The City of West Palm Beach is taking measures to ensure storm and water management systems are ready for possibly heavy rains from Hurricane Milton. The storm is currently in the southwest Gulf of Mexico and forecast to track north and east toward Florida’s west coast. The forecast or precise track of Milton as it approaches Florida is uncertain but will make landfall as a major hurricane. At this time, we are not expecting hurricane conditions within the City of West Palm Beach areas; however, residents should prepare for significant rainfall and potentially tropical storm winds later this week. Impacts could include a major rain event of up to 10 inches that will result in localized flooding.

Preparations of our storm and water management systems underway by the City’s Stormwater Drainage Division include:

In advance of Hurricane Milton, residents should prepare now. This includes:

Following heavy rains:

To report flooding, please call the City of West Palm Beach Department of Utilities (561) 822-2244 (TTY 800 955-8771). For information about the City of West Palm Beach, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/.

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About The City of West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on Florida's Atlantic coast. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing waterfront City that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the region with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and/or LinkedIn.