The dangerous storm is expected to hit the coast late tonight or early tomorrow near Sarasota.
DeSantis: Take shelter now
DeSantis said “now is the time to shelter in place” as Hurricane Milton inches toward Sarasota.
“First responders are staged and ready to go, as soon as weather conditions allow,” he said on X at about 8:20 p.m. “Search and rescue efforts will be well underway to save lives before dawn, and they will continue for as long as it takes.”
Things go quiet and calm in Sarasota
It’s silent and calm in Sarasota, and it’s possible Milton’s eye may be over the city as it is expected to make landfall any minute.
Nearly 10,000 people in Sarasota County evacuation centers, the most ever, official says
Nearly 10,000 people and 1,700 pets were in evacuation centers in Sarasota County tonight, the most ever recorded during an evacuation, an emergency management official said.
The county, just south of Tampa, could take a direct hit from Hurricane Milton.
The county’s 311 system recorded more than 10,000 calls from Sunday to today, the official said, adding that it is no longer safe to evacuate.
The official advised residents to shelter in place and hunker down.
What We Know About Hurricane Milton
The powerful and “catastrophic” storm, currently a Category 4 hurricane, continues to grow in size as it approaches Florida. According to a forecast from NBC News, the storm is expected to make landfall sometime between 10 PM and 2 AM.
Storm surge warnings are in effect along nearly the entire west coast of Florida, with additional warnings for much of the state, including the east coast. Areas from Tampa to Fort Myers could see storm surges reaching up to 15 feet.
As of 11:50 AM ET, Milton was located 190 miles southwest of Tampa, with sustained winds of 145 mph, moving northeast at 17 mph.
This storm will track across Florida from west to east. Meteorologists are warning of up to 15 inches of rainfall in Orlando and surrounding areas, predicting an “extreme flood threat” across the region.
To support Floridians amid this emergency, NBC News Lite, a lighter version of NBCNews.com, has been activated for users in Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee in case of limited internet access.
Milton Nearing Landfall in Florida
Hurricane Milton is “close to hitting Florida’s west-central coast,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said at 8 PM.
The storm’s center was about 20 miles west-southwest of Sarasota, moving east-northeast at 15 mph.
Life-threatening storm surges, flooding, and hurricane-force winds are already impacting the state, according to the NHC.
Repeated storms and hurricanes have driven the cost of homeowners’ and flood insurance sky-high in Florida. Residents already pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country.
Over 350,000 Without Power in Florida
As of 7:30 PM, more than 350,000 homes and businesses in Florida were without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
A reporter from Tampa-based NBC affiliate WFLA, located in Sarasota County, reported seeing “transformer after transformer blowing out.”
Winds Hit Daytona Beach
Tropical storm-force winds have reached Daytona Beach, prompting the closure of bridges to the Barrier Islands.
The city’s curfew is set to begin at 8 PM ET.
A video taken outside a building in Daytona Beach shows intense wind gusts shaking trees and traffic lights while heavy rain appears to fall sideways.
Ocean Drone Reports 28-Foot Wave Inside Hurricane
An ocean drone operating 40 nautical miles from Hurricane Milton’s eye reported a 28-foot wave in the Gulf of Mexico today, according to federal officials.
The unmanned vessel also recorded wind speeds nearing 75 mph, reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Winds Intensify in Sarasota
Wind gusts are picking up speed in Sarasota, with entire palm trees appearing to have been torn from their trunks.
Flashes of green light, indicating transformer failures, were also observed in the city.
In St. Lucie, at least 20 homes were damaged after multiple tornadoes hit the area, according to county spokesperson Erick Gill. Shelters have been opened, and rescue teams have been dispatched.
A Sarasota resident reported sheltering in their apartment during Hurricane Milton. He and his wife are most worried about losing power—they were left without electricity for two days after Hurricane Helene.
South Carolina and Mississippi Send National Guard to Help Florida
Governors of South Carolina and Mississippi have authorized the deployment of National Guard members to assist Florida in recovering from Hurricane Milton. Other states are also preparing to send aid.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves approved the deployment of 22 National Guard members, along with two Black Hawk helicopters and a Chinook helicopter.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said around 70 soldiers were being sent, along with 30 high-water vehicles and a helicopter water rescue unit.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is sending three personnel to assist with communication, coordination, and logistics. New York, which deployed 221 government workers for Hurricane Helene recovery, is preparing to send additional help if requested.
Several Injured After Tornado Hits Florida Community
Several people were injured earlier today after a suspected tornado struck a community north of Miami, according to local officials.
Jim Barnes, the village manager of Wellington, said he didn’t know how many people were hurt or how many buildings were damaged.
Video footage shows the tornado roaring through a road in Wellington, which is 71 miles north of Miami.
The National Weather Service said earlier that dozens of tornado warnings had been issued across the state, including 41 from the Miami office.
Palm Beach International Airport Closed as Milton Approaches
The Palm Beach International Airport in Palm Beach County, Florida, has suspended all operations until further notice, officials announced on X.
While Palm Beach is on Florida’s east coast, south of where Milton is expected to make landfall, a large portion of the state will experience effects from the massive storm.
Milton’s Eye Wall Nearing Tampa Coast
The eye of Hurricane Milton is moving closer to the Tampa and St. Petersburg area, the National Hurricane Center said at 7 PM.
An “extreme wind warning” is in effect for the area, meaning the eye wall is approaching.
These warnings should be treated with the same urgency as tornado warnings.
“Please take shelter as these extremely dangerous hurricane-force winds spread through the region,” the NHC advised.
10,000 Seek Shelter in Hillsborough County
As of this morning, approximately 10,000 people sought refuge in public shelters across Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, as residents and officials prepared for Hurricane Milton.
Three additional shelters were opened today, according to Tim Dudley, director of Hillsborough County emergency management, during a press conference.
Beyond the life-threatening storm itself, downed power lines, floodwaters, and falling trees will continue to be hazards after the hurricane, Dudley warned.
Those sheltering in place at home are urged to remain there until authorities declare it safe to leave.
Fort Myers Hit by Strong Winds
A home security camera captured strong winds sweeping through a Fort Myers neighborhood earlier today.
Dylan Boehm posted the 35-second clip to his Facebook page.
Earlier today, meteorologists warned that “Milton’s tornado-producing supercells” were moving across the southern Florida Peninsula. Tornado warnings were active near Tampa, stretching south to Key West.
Boehm mentioned in a brief post that his home had lost power, but that he was safe at another location.
Bradenton Family Evacuates at Last Minute
Jackie Bartosiewicz and her family left their home in Bradenton’s Evacuation Zone A today just as one of the bridges was being closed. They are now staying in a hotel in Evacuation Zone C.
Bartosiewicz said she and her family have jobs they “cannot leave until it’s time to go,” so they regularly update their evacuation plans depending on the storm’s path. In Milton’s case, they booked hotel rooms days in advance.
She expressed some anxiety about Milton but said she’s “glad to finally be where we’ll be before the storm.”