Florida Warned to Prepare for Another Hurricane as Tropical Storm Milton Approaches with 'Life-Threatening' Risk

Mar. 15, 2025

Tropical Storm Milton.Photo:NOAA via AP

NOAA via AP

Officials in Florida and beyond are encouraging residents to stay prepared for the potential of another hurricane as Tropical Storm Milton is expected to intensify and approach the state.

Per the NHC, Milton is projected to “move eastward to northeastward” across the Gulf of Mexico and be “at or near major hurricane strength” when reaching Florida.

“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning late Tuesday or Wednesday,” the NHC shared of Milton.

In a forecast shared onFacebook, National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said that the NHC anticipates conditions will be “conducive” for Milton to be considered a hurricane in the coming days, potentially becoming a “very impactful hurricane” with maximum sustained winds of around 110 mph over Florida, where it is expected to arrive around Tuesday, Oct. 8 or Wednesday, Oct. 9.

According toCBS News, the most recent forecasts Sunday morning have Milton projected to make landfall at 120 mph. An update from theNational Hurricane Centeron the morning of Sunday, Oct. 6 noted that the storm had reached winds of 60 mph while in the Gulf of Mexico, 860 miles from Tampa. Milton is expected to make landfall Wednesday, Oct. 9 between Cedar Key and Naples, perCNN.

Tropical Storm Milton.National Hurricane Center/NOAA

National Hurricane Center/NOAA

“Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida Sunday and Monday well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to the system expected later on Tuesday through Wednesday night,” the NHC continued. “This rainfall brings the risk of flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with minor to moderate river flooding.”

In a follow-up video, senior hurricane specialist John Cangialosi of the National Hurricane Center encouraged locals to not “panic,” bur rather prepare their hurricane supplies. Those supplies include three days of food and water, filling up gas tanks, having cash on hand, preparing batteries, having enough medicine and knowing theirevacuation zones.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Saturday, declaring astate of emergencyin 35 counties in the state, whileFOX Weatherreported that Milton could become the most dangerous hurricane to hit the state in more than 100 years, following a Category 3 hurricane that occurred in 1921.

The threat of another hurricane comes over a week after Hurricane Helene first made landfall as a Category 4 storm in Florida on Sept. 26. Helene has delivered damaging wind gusts and “catastrophic, life-threatening, [and] record-breaking” flooding in many areas.

As of Saturday, Oct. 5, at least 223 people have died, with hundreds unaccounted for, perNBC News.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shared areleaseon Saturday, noting that staff was already “on the ground in Florida supporting Helene recovery,” while “coordinating with the state to prepare people for the next storm.” It reiterated that the latest tropical storm could reach the west coast of Florida “mid-week as a major hurricane,” encouraging Floridians to stay prepared.

To learn more about how to help with relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Helene,click here.

source: people.com