Florida

Category 5 Hurricane Milton ‘Explosively Intensifies’ En Route To Florida—Here’s What To Know

Published

2 months ago

October 7, 2024

Category 5 Hurricane Milton ‘Explosively Intensifies’ En Route To Florida—Here’s What To Know

Topline

Hurricane Milton intensified into a Category 5 hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico late Monday morning as it barreled toward the Florida Gulf coast, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene killed at least 20 people in Florida before causing devastating flooding across parts of the southeastern U.S.

Hurricane Milton formed over the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.

NOAA

Key Facts

According to the National Hurricane Center, Milton had “explosively intensified” and had maximum sustained wind speeds of 175 mph as of 2 p.m. EDT, qualifying it as a Category 5.

Milton is forecast to move near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula Monday and Tuesday, then cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of Florida by Wednesday.

Some weakening is expected before the storm reaches the Florida Gulf coast, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but Milton is “still likely to be a large and powerful hurricane at landfall in Florida, with life-threatening hazards at the coastline and well inland.”

The storm was about 700 miles west-southwest of Tampa as of 2 p.m. Monday.

Hurricane watches are in effect for the Florida Gulf Coast from Chokoloskee, about 90 miles south of Fort Meyers, to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay, and for Lake Okeechobee, about 40 miles inland from West Palm Beach.

Tropical storm warnings cover much of the same area in Florida, with the addition of the Florida Keys, and a storm surge warning is in effect near Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay.

A storm surge could raise water levls by as much as 12 feet in Tampa Bay and between the Anclote River and Englewood in Florida, and by between 3 and 10 feet in other parts of the state (the Hurricane Center warms the surge “will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves”).

Hurricane Milton is expected to bring 5 to 10 inches of rain, with localized totals up to 15 inches, across parts of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys through Wednesday night, which could cause “considerable flash, urban, and areal flooding,” according to the NHC.

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Big Number

15 million. That’s how many people are under flood watches in Florida, and 11 million are at risk for tropical tornadoes Tuesday and Wednesday.

Where Have Evacuations Been Ordered?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, including all of the Tampa Bay area and on said Sunday evening a “flurry” of evacuation orders would be issued over the next 24 hours. According to the Associated Press, Milton could trigger the biggest spate of evacuation orders in the state since 2017’s Hurricane Irma—where 7 million people were urged to leave their homes. Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, ordered evacuations for areas near Tampa Bay and for all mobile and manufactured homes by Tuesday night. Lee County, home to Fort Meyers, issued a mandary evacuation order for the island of Fort Myers Beach and further orders could still come.

Is Hurricane Milton Impact

Tampa International Airport will close at 9 a.m. Tuesday and plans to reopen “as soon as it is safe” later this week. Major U.S. airlines, including American, Delta, Southwest, United and JetBlue, are issuing travel waivers that will allow passengers flying through impacted airports to rebook without paying far differences. American Airlines’ travel alert covers 12 airports in Florida, Delta’s covers nine and Frontier covers eight. United Airlines’ advisory covers travel to and from only five airports—Key West, Orlando, Fort Myers, Sarasota/Bradenton and Tampa.

Could Hurricane Milton Become A Category 6 Hurricane?

There is no such thing as a Category 6 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center uses the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to classify storms, which ranks only up to a Category 5 and defines those storms as having sustained winds at or greater than 157 mph. Earlier this year, researchers with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Space Science and Engineering Center argued for adding a sixth storm category as climate change continues to intensify weather events. Under their proposal, Category 5 hurricanes would be redefined to encompass storms with sustained wind speeds between 157 and 192 mph and a new Category 6 would describe storms with wind speeds above 192 mph.

Key Background

Milton is expected to arrive less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene, a major Category 4 storm, hit Florida on Sept. 26. Helene was the hardest hit for the Tampa Bay area from a hurricane in 103 years, according to the Associated Press. Despite staying offshore, Helene inundated parts of the area with several feet of storm surge. At least 20 people died in Florida from the storm, which then traveled 500 miles across the Southeastern U.S. and caused heavy flooding in the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee. At least 230 people across six states died as a result of the hurricane, which was the deadliest to hit the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005. Helene made landfall near Perry, Florida, approximately 160 miles north of Tampa, with winds of 140 mph before it was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved northward.

Surprising Fact

Milton will be the fifth hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. this year, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts 2024 will be one of the busiest hurricane seasons on record, estimating 8 to 13 hurricanes and between 4 and 7 major hurricanes.

Mary Whitfill Roeloffs contributed to this report.

Florida shows it can finish with another second-half closeout and a makeshift dunk contest

Published

8 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Florida shows it can finish with another second-half closeout and a makeshift dunk contest

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida players eager to celebrate their latest victory, the one that made them bowl eligible for the first time in two years, found a suitable prop on the sideline.

Ole Miss left behind its basketball hoop, which the Rebels use to salute big plays during games.

The Gators set it up, grabbed some footballs and held their own dunk contest near the end zone. It provided an apt stage — perfect for showcasing finishing moves — after they closed out another ranked opponent.

Florida (6-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) dominated the second half for the second consecutive week and got to party in the Swamp following a 24-17 victory over then-ninth-ranked Mississippi on Saturday.

Not only did the Gators knock the Rebels (8-3, 4-3) out of the College Football Playoff picture, they won their fourth consecutive home game and raised expectations for coach Billy Napier’s fourth season in Gainesville.

And the manner in which they accomplished it mattered. Napier has been preaching about “finishing,” something that had mostly eluded the Gators in the past two years.

Florida lost four games in 2023 after leading in the second half, including three — against Arkansas, Missouri and Florida State — in the fourth quarter.

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) and teammates Trikweze Bridges (7), Aidan Mizell (11) and Jadan Baugh (13) celebrate their 24-17 win against Mississippi in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack

And no one following the program has forgotten how close the Gators were to upsetting Tennessee and Georgia earlier this season, losing 23-17 to the Volunteers in overtime and fading against the Bulldogs after being tied at 20 with five minutes to play.

Napier hoped all those gut punches would ultimately lead to something better, and they finally did — with late-game knockouts against LSU and Mississippi.

“Eventually you get sick of that,” receiver Chimere Dike said. “To be able to get these last two wins is huge for our team and our program. I’m proud of the resilience the guys showed, the way that we performed.”

Florida held Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin’s high-scoring offense to three points in the second half. The Rebels turned the ball over twice — interceptions by Bryce Thornton on the final two drives — punted twice and got stuffed on another fourth-down run.

Florida defensive back Bryce Thornton (18) intercepts a pass on... — Florida defensive back Bryce Thornton (18) intercepts a pass on Mississippi’s final drive during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack

“I thought we were better on both sides up front, and short-yardage defense is a big component,” Napier said. “Those are identity plays. I think we had guys step up and make plays.”

Added defensive tackle Cam Jackson said: “Everybody just pinned their ears back. That was great.”

It was reminiscent of the previous week against then-No. 21 LSU. Florida held the Tigers to six points in the second half and forced a fumble, a punt and a turnover on downs in a 27-16 victory.

“We just all came together and wanted to change how Florida was looked at,” Thornton said. “That’s the biggest thing with us, just trying to show everybody that we can do it.”

The Gators ended the afternoon showing off their basketball moves.

Cornerback Trikweze Bridges, receiver Marcus Burke, defensive end Justus Boone, tight end Tony Livingston and linebacker Shemar James delivered monster dunks. Aidan Mizell passed a football between his leg in midair before his slam, and fellow receiver Elijhah Badger bounced it off the backboard before rousing teammates and fans with his finish.

“Belief is the most powerful thing in the world,” Napier said. “At some point there, midseason, we figured (that) out and we started to believe. Look, we can play with any team in the country.”

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Florida

South Florida 11 p.m. Weather Forecast 11/23/2024

Published

17 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

South Florida 11 p.m. Weather Forecast 11/23/2024 – CBS Miami

Watch CBS News

CBS News Miami’s NEXT Weather Meteorologist Dave Warren says to expect temperatures to drop late Saturday night with a light wind going into Sunday morning, bringing cool and dry conditions before a warming trend later in the week.

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Florida

FAMU football wins fourth straight Florida Classic vs Bethune-Cookman in nail-biter | Takeaways

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

FAMU football wins fourth straight Florida Classic vs Bethune-Cookman in nail-biter | Takeaways

FAMU football defeated Bethune-Cookman 41-38 in the Florida Classic at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. The Rattlers have won four straight Florida Classic over in-state rivals Wildcats.

Florida A&M football still reigns supreme over Bethune-Cookman.

The Rattlers defeated the Wildcats 41-38 before a crowd of 56,453 football fans at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. It was FAMU’s fourth straight year beating its in-state rivals, Bethune-Cookman.

FAMU outgained Bethune-Cookman 487-416. The Rattlers erased a 21-17 halftime deficit to claim the victory.

FAMU running back Thad Franklin Jr. starred for the Rattlers, carrying the football 26 times for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Franklin’s performance earned the Florida Classic’s Most Valuable Player Award.

FAMU football Thad Franklin Jr. runs all over Florida Classic rivals Bethune-Cookman

FAMU heavily relied on its rushing attack.

The Rattlers rushed 47 times for 305 yards.

Behind Franklin’s MVP outing, Kelvin Dean Jr. also was productive on the ground. Dean added 14 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown.

FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson picked his spots, completing 15 of 21 passes for 182 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. His top target was wide receiver Quan Lee, who had five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.

FAMU football tested by Bethune-Cookman in Florida Classic

The Rattlers got a run their money with the Wildcats’ rushing attack.

Bethune-Cookman rushed 44 times for 183 yards. Dennis Palmer led the Wildcats with 37 carries for 178 yards.

Despite that, FAMU had bent but don’t break situations.

For example, FAMU held up Bethune-Cookman in a critical drive after the Rattlers threw an interception with 8:10 left. Nay’Ron Jenkins tackled Bethune-Cookman running back Palmer for a loss to turn the ball over on downs on 4th and 1.

The Rattlers had six tackles for loss and an interception which was caught by Jenkins.

FAMU football’s special teams gives up yardage, touchdown vs Florida Classic rivals Bethune-Cookman

The Rattlers’ special teams unit put the team in compromising situations.

Bethune-Cookman gained 123 yards on kickoffs on five returns.

Those returns pushed FAMU’s defense back in some situations.

On punts, the Rattlers gave allowed Wildcats punt returner Maleek Huggins to return a 51-yarder in the first quarter.

Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.

Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

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