Tracking Hurricane Milton: Wednesday morning update on its path, storm surge forecast in Florida

(AP) Hurricane Milton churned Wednesday toward a potentially catastrophic collision along the west coast of Florida, where some residents insisted they would stay after millions were ordered to evacuate and officials warned that stragglers would face grim odds of surviving.

The Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3.3 million people, faced the possibility of widespread destruction after avoiding direct hits from major hurricanes for more than a century. The National Hurricane Center predicted Milton, a monstrous Category 5 hurricane during much of its approach, would likely weaken but remain a major hurricane when it makes landfall late Wednesday.

Milton was centered early Wednesday about 360 miles (580 kilometers) southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 kmh), the National Hurricane Center reported.

Forecasters predicted the storm will retain hurricane strength as it crosses central Florida on Thursday on a path east toward the Atlantic Ocean. The hurricane's precise track remained uncertain, as forecasters Tuesday evening nudged its projected path slightly south of Tampa.

Thousands of fleeing cars clogged Florida's highways ahead of the storm, but time for evacuations was running out Wednesday. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor noted that up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) of storm surge forecast for her city would be deep enough to swallow an entire house.

“So if you’re in it, basically that’s the coffin that you’re in,” Castor said.

Milton targets communities still reeling two weeks after Hurricane Helene flooded streets and homes in western Florida along its devasting march that left at least 230 dead across the South.

In the bayside town of Punta Gorda, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Tampa, streets were still filled Tuesday with 5-foot (1.5-meter) piles of soggy furniture, clothing, books, appliances and other trash dragged from damaged homes.

Many homes sat vacant, but accountant and art collector Scott Joiner remained on the second floor of the New Orleans-style home he built 17 years ago. Joiner said bull sharks swam in the flooded streets and a neighbor had to be rescued by canoe when Helene passed and flooded the first floor of his home.

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[bmarcusgood]

My prayers are with you, Florida. Watching from India ❤️

[mariafernandez]

Trusting God for deliverance from Tampa area, Fl

[TheTkrum]

The government is getting better and better at driving these storms aren’t they 🫢

[davidrhodes]

Too many “experts” giving too many slightly different scenarios on the news and youtube. If you live slightly south of the predicted centre, you might stay and ride it out, because some say it’s veering north, or going to make landfall at Cat 1….But others say it’s veering south, and will hit land at Cat 4…..etc..etc..This leaves too many people thinking they might avoid the worst and ride it out. Too much differing information from “experts” helps to cause even more trouble.

[anonamos]

I live in Florida. Terrified of the destruction milton will cause

[JerryNordstrom]

Its the first time in months those stranded Astronauts have thought, shit, glad I'm not down there.... Seriously though, hope everyone stays safe and damage stays low.

[acidalex]

I just can’t understand how on Monday they said it would make landfall as barely a cat 1, cat 2 at worst. Then it was cat 3 and now it’s making landfall as a cat 4? They really have no idea do they.

[joannedeherrera]

God help my family in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. God help Florida.

[cherwi]

HOW DO THE HUNTERS KEEP FROM GETTING KILLED????

[destinc]

Fisheye lens on the ISS camera. The curvature at that altitude is minimal… Don’t forget people, their still lying to you

[kencox]

Why they still trying to curve the earth!? Smh

[HipiKapic]

If you vote for me, I'll stop this hurricane, I will prove this massage in the future 😢

[jesse.._]

I’m sorry but I’ve felt tropical storms worse than this but go ahead keep on with the fear mongoring

[yaninabambrick]

Oh ok si yo estuviera allí ya estuviera con mi cafe

[chrisramos]

Really view from space ??? lol still lying to people

[Peace-nq]

Lol i thought people only run away in Palestine... leaves their house to evacuation center...dint worry send more money to Israel their live matter

[acidkick]

Idk what the fuck yall talking about, it looks like it’s headed directly for Miami. Your “models” are out of wack.