Crosswalk.com

Hurricane Milton Strengthens to Category 5, Expected to Hit Florida This Week

Milton Quintanilla

UPDATE: As of 2:00pm on Tuesday, October 8th, Hurricane Milton has weakened to a Category 4 and is predicted to drop to a Category 3 hurricane when it makes landfall on Wednesday. The storm is predicted to have winds of 111-129 mph (180-210 kph). The National Hurricane Center warns today is the last day for Florida residents to evacuate. 

Milton has strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane and is expected to make landfall in Florida this week just days after developing in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the latest update from the hurricane center Monday morning, Milton is packing winds of up to 160 mph, which meets the criteria for a Category 5 hurricane. 

"Milton is moving slowly but is expected to strengthen rapidly," the hurricane center said earlier Sunday. "There is increasing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week."

Per CBS News, the most likely path indicates that Milton could make landfall in or near the Tampa Bay area by 2 am Eastern time on Thursday (Oct. 10) and continue as a hurricane as it moves across central Florida into the Atlantic Ocean, forecasters said. 

For the most part, that path would spare other southeastern states that were recently struck by Hurricane Helene, which killed over 230 people last week after ripping through the Southeastern U.S.

According to CBS News weather senior producer David Parkinson, although Milton is considered to be a smaller storm than Helene, it seems to be moving towards a more densely populated area, and storm surge could cause major problems in some places. 

A stretch of the Florida coast, including Tampa Bay, could see surges of up to 12 feet above normal water level if it takes place simultaneously with high tide. 

CBS News Miami meteorologist KC Sherman noted that South Florida communities, such as Miami-Dade County and the Everglades, reported flooding from the storm's early impacts on Sunday.

"Milton is moving slowly but is expected to strengthen rapidly," the hurricane center said earlier Sunday. "There is increasing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week."

As of Sunday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued emergency declarations for at least 51 counties. 

"You have time to prepare," he said, urging Floridians "to be sure your hurricane preparedness plan is in place." 

"Know your evacuation zone — there will be mandatory and voluntary evacuations," said DeSantis.

Prayer for Hurricane Milton

Lord, we lift up those in the path of Hurricane Milton. We pray, Lord, for Your protection over the residents of Florida and all who may be impacted by this storm's wrath. Heavenly Father, we ask that you calm the winds and waves, Lord, and grant wisdom and strength to those preparing for this storm. Shelter the vulnerable, provide comfort to the anxious, and guide first responders as they work tirelessly to keep their local communities safe. We pray for all those affected by this storm, Lord, including the friends and families of those who wait to hear from their loved ones after a natural disaster like this takes place. We pray for Your peace in the midst of uncertainty. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Trifonov_Evgeniy

Milton QuintanillaMilton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.