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null - Tropical Storm Milton is expected to be a hurricane by Sunday, threatening the Tampa metro and surrounding areas as a potential Category 3 storm.
According to FOX Weather, on its current track, Milton would arrive at the Florida Peninsula around Wednesday, although winds could increase late on Tuesday. Well in advance of the storm, waves of heavy precipitation are forecast beginning Sunday, especially in Central and South Florida.
As of Sunday, the National Hurricane Center predicts Hurricane Milton will make landfall around the Tampa metro as a Category 3 hurricane.
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"The bottom line is we do have the potential for a significant, problematic, impactful storm coming toward Florida Tuesday, Wednesday-ish of next week," Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said.
Tracking Milton (FOX Weather)
The storm is forecast to strengthen and bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to parts of Florida, with hurricane and storm-surge watches likely in effect from Sunday. Parts of the state are expected to have heavy rainfall beginning today, threatening flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with some river flooding.
"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. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, follow any advice given by local officials, and check back for updates to the forecast," the National Hurricane Center said.
Milton state of emergency
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Storm preps: Tracking Tropical Storm Milton
FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez provides and update ahead of Tropical Storm Milton. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is expected to provide a live update ahead of Milton's arrival. Check back with LiveNOW from FOX for updates.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 35 counties ahead of the storm's potential landfall.
Since many of those counties are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, DeSantis asked the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Transportation to coordinate all available resources and personnel to supplement local communities as they expedite debris removal.
Milton storm surge
Norcross says it's too early to predict how much storm surge this system could generate on Florida's West Coast, as it'll depend on Milton's track and where it makes landfall in western Florida. But it will be significant and dangerous.
"In some areas, it will likely be higher than in Hurricane Helene," Norcross said. "It's critical that everybody in Central and South Florida stay well-informed since things are developing quickly."
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Tropical Storm Milton to become 'major storm'
Tropical Storm Milton is expected to become a 'major storm' over the next couple of days. The National Weather Service joined host Josh Breslow to provide an update on the latest.
Other hurricanes to watch
Meanwhile, Hurricane Kirk remained a Category 4 major hurricane about 1,345 miles (2,165 kilometers) west-southwest of the Azores with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) late Saturday night, the center said.
Large swells from the storm causing "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions" were affecting the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas and the U.S. East Coast. The swells were expected to move north along the U.S. East Coast and Canada's Atlantic Coast on Sunday and to the Azores on Monday, the center said.
Hurricane Leslie was moving northwest over the open Atlantic without posing a threat to land, forecasters said late Saturday.
The storm was located about 855 miles (1,375 kilometers) west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (128 kph). There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Milton could impact Helene recovery
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North Carolina disaster relief following Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene recovery continues across the southeastern portion of the United States. As of this report, more than 200 people have died. It’s the worst storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005. Non-profits, such as Operation Blessing, are responding with aid deliveries and other assistance. Diego Traverso, Director of International Disaster Relief, joins LiveNOW from FOX.
Milton is churning as rescuers in the U.S. Southeast continue to search for people unaccounted for after Hurricane Helene struck last week, leaving behind a trail of death and catastrophic damage.
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Helene claimed at least 227 lives across Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia, the bulk of those in the Carolinas where mountain towns were nearly completely wiped out.
Helene came ashore Sept. 26 as a Category 4 hurricane and carved a wide swath of destruction as it moved northward from Florida, washing away homes, destroying roads and knocking out electricity and cellphone service for millions.
Helene is the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005.