Hurricane Milton tracker: 'This is a matter of life and death'

Hurricane Milton tracker: ‘This is a matter of life and death’

Milton is expected to make landfall Wednesday night as a Category 3 hurricane.

Last Updated: October 9, 2024, 1:12 PM EDT

Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4 hurricane, is taking aim at Florida’s west coast. Landfall is expected Wednesday night as a Category 3 hurricane.

Milton is closing in as Floridians are still recovering from the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene.

Tracking Milton: Latest forecast

Milton is forecast to make landfall between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Wednesday near Sarasota, south of Tampa, as a Category 3 hurricane.

Strong wind gusts over 100 mph are forecast for the Tampa area during the landfall.

This weather map shows the predicted path of Hurricane Milton across Florida through Thursday.

ABC News

A dangerous, record-breaking storm surge of up to 12 feet is expected for Tampa Bay and Fort Myers. Storm surge could reach a life-threatening 15 feet near Sarasota.

Heavy rain — up to 18 inches — is expected to inundate parts of central Florida, bringing a high risk of flash flooding.

-ABC News‘ Max Golembo

At least 5 tornadoes confirmed

At least five tornadoes have been confirmed across South Florida so far.

One tornado was spotted crossing Interstate 75 in Glades County.

A tornado watch is in effect in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota and Tampa. Tornado warnings have been issued in Collier, Hendry, Palm Beach, Glades and Broward counties.

‘This is a matter of life and death,’ Tampa mayor warns

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned Wednesday that “the window for evacuation is closing,” stressing, “This is a matter of life and death.”

“This is going to be a storm of historic proportions,” she said.

“The roads look pretty clear right now, so you don’t have to go far,” Castor said. “Just get out of the way of that storm surge.”

Tampa mayor gives final warning to those in evacuation zones

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says “time is of the essence” as Hurricane Milton nears landfall.

ABCNews.com

-ABC News’ Jason Volack

Milton response won’t impact Helene recovery efforts: FEMA

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell stressed that the response to Hurricane Milton in Florida will not impact the ongoing recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene across the Southeast.

Tampa prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Milton members of the National Guard put up a flood barrier around a waste water facility on Oct. 9, 2024 in Tampa, Fla.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

“These resource movements are not taking away from the ongoing complicated response and recovery we are still working in the aftermath of Helene,” Criswell said.

She said FEMA has distributed “over $60 million from our individual assistance program directly to people here in North Carolina” impacted by Helene.

This is incredible, meaningful progress, and we at FEMA stand ready to both continue this critical work while we respond to Hurricane Milton in the coming days,” she said.

-ABC News’ Molly Nagle

Over 1,800 flights canceled, at least 6 airports closing

Over 1,800 flights have been canceled across the country on Wednesday as Hurricane Milton closes in on Florida.

The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Orlando Sanford International Airport, Palm Beach International Airport and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport are all closing for the storm.

Southwest Airlines employees cover the ticket counters with plastic wrap just before Tampa International Airport was closing due to the possible arrival of Hurricane Milton, Oct. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Fla.

Chris O’meara/AP

The Florida Division of Emergency Services said it has partnered with Uber to provide free rides to and from shelters as residents evacuate ahead of Milton.