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Milton Still a Monster Storm, Florida Landfall Expected Late Wednesday

Major Hurricane Milton has started its trek to the northeast towards the Florida Peninsula. After reaching maximum sustained winds of 180 mph on Monday, Milton will slowly weaken until landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday along the west-central coast of Florida. However, it will still be extremely dangerous and a major hurricane at landfall, posing a significant threat to life and property. It is the last full day for residents to get their families and homes ready and to evacuate if told to do so by local officials.

As of 1 p.m. CDT, Major Hurricane Milton was located near 22.5 N and 88.2 W, or about 125 miles northeast of Progreso, Mexico, and 520 miles southwest of Tampa, Fla. Milton is traveling east-northeast at 8 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, making it a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The storm also has a central pressure of 923 mb or 27.26 inches of mercury.

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

A Storm Surge Warning is in place for:

A Storm Surge Watch is in place for:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

Major Hurricane Milton is expected to maintain its current intensity today, likely remaining a high-end Category 4 or even low-end Category 5 hurricane. It will gradually begin to weaken late today or early Wednesday and will continue to weaken until landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday. This is due to the storm encountering drier air and stronger wind shear along a stalled cold front. As drier air moves into it, Milton will also expand in size as it approaches the west coast of Florida. The cold front will also cause Milton to make a turn to the northeast and its forward speed will also accelerate.

Milton will most likely make landfall on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning over or very close to the Tampa metro area. The most likely scenario would also be for Milton to be a low to mid-end Category 3 hurricane at landfall. From there, it will zip across Florida Thursday morning and enter the Atlantic Ocean by midday or early afternoon. Milton will likely weaken to a Category 2 hurricane over the Florida Peninsula by Thursday morning, then continuing to weaken to a Category 1 hurricane over the Atlantic Ocean. It will most likely lose its tropical characteristics completely by early Friday and should be a post-tropical cyclone as it tracks to the south of Bermuda.

Regardless of the exact track and strength of Milton, it will bring extreme to catastrophic impacts to central Florida, especially along the west-central coast near Tampa.

The outer bands of Milton are expected to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain across portions of the northern Yucatan Peninsula, western Cuba and the Florida Keys. However, isolated totals up to 6 inches cannot be ruled out. Heavy rainfall streaming ahead of the storm may begin impacting parts of Florida between the I-4 and I-75 corridors on Wednesday, with more significant rainfall associated with the storm expected Wednesday night into Thursday morning. By the time Milton passes, rain gauges could be up to 6 to 12 inches, with isolated totals up to 18 inches possible. This rainfall will lead to life-threatening flash and urban flooding along with moderate to major river flooding.

Storm surge will be dangerous, especially to the northeast of the center of Milton. The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:

Tropical storm-force winds (39-73 mph) will begin across western Florida starting late morning or afternoon on Wednesday and will spread southwest-to-northeast through Wednesday evening. Hurricane-force (>74 mph) will be found closer to the center of Milton where it makes landfall on Wednesday evening and very early Thursday morning. Peak sustained winds of 85-110 mph and wind gusts of 100-130 mph will be likely, with isolated, briefly higher winds possible. Winds will slowly ease for the rest of Thursday.

As if that wasn't enough, a few tornadoes or waterspouts will be likely as Milton comes ashore. This threat for tornadoes or waterspouts begins late tonight across central and southern Florida and will continue through Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Residents along the Florida Gulf Coast, especially those in low-lying areas, should begin preparing for potential impacts from Milton, including heavy rainfall, life-threatening storm surge, and strong winds. Coming just two weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged the Cedar Key-Tampa Bay region, be sure to not allow hurricane fatigue to prevent you from taking this system extremely seriously.

WeatherBug meteorologists will continue to monitor Hurricane Milton, so check for the latest information in your app.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Early voting is underway in the Tampa Bay area ahead of the November 5 General Election.

Here is where you can vote early and find more information about voting:

Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County has 27 early voting locations open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from October 21 to November 3.

You can find more information about early voting on the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections website.

Pinellas County

Pinellas County has seven early voting locations open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from October 21 to November 3.

For more information about early voting, visit the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website.

Pasco County

Pasco County has 13 early voting locations open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from October 21 to November 2.

For more information about early voting, visit the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections website.

Manatee County

Manatee County has eight early voting locations open 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from October 21 to November 2.

For more information about early voting, visit the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website.

Sarasota County

Sarasota County has 10 early voting locations open 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from October 21 to November 3.

For more information about early voting, visit the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections website.

Polk County

Polk County has 10 early voting locations open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from October 21 to November 3.

For more information about early voting, visit the Polk County Supervisor of Elections website.

Hernando County

Hernando County has five early voting locations open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from October 21 to November 2.

For more information about early voting, visit the Hernando County Supervisor of Elections website.

Highlands County

Highlands County has three early voting locations open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from October 21 to November 3.

For more information about early voting, visit the Highlands County Supervisor of Elections website.

Citrus and Hardee County’s Supervisor of Elections websites were experiencing technical issues at the time of this report. We will update this article once we receive more information.

What to bring to the voting site

Voters are asked to bring one or two forms of current identification that include their signature and photo. They must have the cards with them – pictures of ID cannot be accepted. If they forget their ID, they may vote a provisional ballot, which will later be evaluated by the Canvassing Board for eligibility.

Acceptable photo ID for voting:

Riverview, FL (October 21, 2024) – A vehicle crash occurred Monday morning at the intersection of Bloomingdale Avenue and US-301, resulting in injuries. Emergency responders arrived at the scene promptly at 8:59 a.m. to assist those involved in the accident. Fortunately, there were no roadblocks reported, allowing for the flow of traffic to continue in the area.

Details surrounding the crash remain limited, but initial reports indicate that at least one individual sustained injuries and required medical attention. The nature and extent of these injuries have not yet been disclosed, as authorities continue to investigate the incident.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this accident.

Vehicle Crash Accidents in Florida

Vehicle crashes in Florida are a prevalent issue, with thousands of incidents reported annually. These accidents can lead to a variety of injuries, ranging from minor to severe, and often leave victims facing significant medical expenses and emotional distress. According to recent statistics, Florida ranks among the states with the highest rates of vehicle crashes, underscoring the importance of road safety and awareness.

In Florida, the law mandates that drivers maintain a certain level of insurance coverage to protect themselves and others in the event of an accident. However, navigating the aftermath of a vehicle crash can be overwhelming, especially for those who have sustained injuries. Victims may find themselves dealing with insurance companies, medical bills, and the stress of recovery.

Being involved in a vehicle accident can be a traumatic experience, and it is crucial for victims to understand their rights. Seeking legal assistance can provide invaluable support in ensuring that victims receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses. A knowledgeable attorney can help victims navigate the complexities of insurance claims and legal proceedings, allowing them to focus on healing and recovery.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a vehicle accident in Florida, it is essential to take action promptly. Local Accident Reports is your trusted resource for post-accident support. We have compiled essential information and resources for accident victims like you. Our comprehensive database provides key details and support options for those affected by accidents. Let us help you understand your options and find the support you require during this difficult time.

Contact us today to learn how we can assist in your recovery journey.

Federal agency pledges centers will open in Pinellas and Pasco as residents seek help with emergency accommodation and damage to homes.

By

|Updated Oct. 2

When floodwaters from Old Tampa Bay reached past her knees, Disney Oceana Delgado called 911 in a panic.

The responder told her she and her two young daughters should immediately evacuate their first-floor apartment near Rocky Point in Tampa. But her car was already partially submerged.

Not knowing where else to go, Delgado gathered what dry bedding she had and led her daughters up the external stairwell to second-floor apartments. The family slept as best they could on the concrete steps.

“I woke at 5 a.m.,” said her daughter, Lorena Delgado, 10. “We don’t sleep so much.”

Delago returned Friday morning to sodden beds, clothing and some ruined kitchen appliances. The apartment is unlivable for now, and she and her daughters are staying at her brother’s home.

On Tuesday morning, a relative drove Delago and her daughters to a disaster recovery center opened Monday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Riverview. For the second consecutive day, a dozen other families, many with similar hardship stories, headed to the center waiting for their turn to speak with FEMA experts about applying for emergency assistance.

A disaster recovery center opened Pinellas on Wednesday at the Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive. More than 100 people lined up for assistance Wednesday, said FEMA spokesperson Jack Pagano.

FEMA is working to open other centers in Pinellas and Pasco counties, which bore the brunt of storm surge damage. That could include mobile disaster recovery centers in areas directly impacted by Helene, Pagano said.

The federal agency is providing assistance with the cost of temporary accommodation for those whose homes are unlivable in addition to longer-term assistance for home repair or replacement. There is help for those who do not have insurance or who are underinsured.

For those in immediate need, the center can connect them with aid agencies including the American Red Cross, which is operating a shelter at the Hyde Park United Methodist Church on Platt Street in Tampa.

As of midday Tuesday, the nonprofit was sheltering about 2,400 survivors at 75 shelters between Florida and North Carolina, an area Red Cross Division Disaster Executive Denise Everhart described on a media call as Hurricane Helene’s “500-mile path of destruction.”

Related: Damage from Hurricane Helene? Here’s how to apply for FEMA aid.

Amy Jennings was one of the first to turn up at the center Monday.

Floodwater that surged from a canal that is a tributary of the Little Manatee River took over their Ruskin home.

The water kept coming. Items she had put up high to protect, such as framed family photographs and photo albums, floated around the living room. With the front door blocked by sandbags, she and her husband had to escape through sliding doors and then push through the screen of their porch.

They waded through water for 30 minutes before a pickup truck driver gave them a ride to dry land, she said.

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It wasn’t just their home and possessions that were ruined. Her husband’s truck and many of the tools he uses as a carpenter are unsalvageable, she said.

Their situation reached a crisis point Friday when their landlady told them she doesn’t have flood insurance and or the means to repair the home. After about four years of renting the home, the couple was told they should remove their belongings and get their truck towed.

Sitting in the waiting area, Jennings was briefly overwhelmed by a feeling of hopelessness. Her children are grown and out of the state. The couple have been staying with friends but know they can’t lean on that kindness for too long.

“Everything is gone,” Jennings said. “Everything we worked for. I’ve never been in this situation before.”

FEMA officials stressed that registering for assistance is critical to starting the process of receiving assistance. That can be done at the center or online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Helene’s path has led to major disaster declarations being made in 17 Florida counties as well as 25 in North Carolina, 13 in South Carolina and 11 in Georgia.

More than 150,000 households had registered for assistance, with the agency already paying out millions, officials said Tuesday. Those numbers are expected to soar in the coming weeks and months. Pagano said Wednesday that in Florida alone FEMA has received about 71,000 applications for assistance and already paid out $3.1 million

Everyone seeking assistance at the Riverview center had their own Helene story.

Dietra Singleton has been without power in her East Tampa home since a tree fell and severed the power line between the outside maintenance box and her house. Tampa Electric told the hair salon owner that it’s her responsibility to repair it, she said. She needs help with that cost.

Rhonda Brightbill drove to Riverview from Osceola County near Orlando because her husband’s truck, which was parked close to his work on Causeway Boulevard in Tampa, was flooded up to the center console. He needs a vehicle for his Interstate 4 commute, she said.

Randy Hann, 73, said floodwater destroyed clothes, bedding, power tools and other possessions. The bottom 2 feet of drywall in his home along the Alafia River had to be replaced after Hurricane Idalia last year. This time, the water was twice as high, he said.

A survivor of a bone marrow transplant operation 17 years ago, he said he’s learned to stay positive.

“I’m blessed,” he said. “I just want something to get started again. I’ve had to buy so many supplies.”

Times staff writer Juan-Carlos Chavez contributed to this report.

NEED HELP?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has opened disaster recovery centers at a Hillsborough Community College campus in Riverview and the Largo Public Library in Pinellas County. The centers are open to individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits seeking assistance or needing help in completing applications after being impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Debby. FEMA representatives are onsite to assist.

Where: 6437 Watson Rd., Riverview, 33578, and 120 Central Park Drive, Largo, 33771.

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 6.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — As Hurricane Helene churns in the Gulf, making its way to Florida, a mandatory evacuation was ordered Wednesday starting at 10 .m. for everyone in Evacuation Zone A and all mobile homes and manufactured housing throughout Hillsborough County, officials said in a news release.

A storm surge warning, hurricane watch and tropical storm warning are in effect for the county.

Though Helene’s current forecast has it passing offshore of the county, it is expected to bring tropical storm force winds, life-threatening storm surge flooding and flash flooding to the area on Thursday.

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The county opened evacuation centers at the following locations:

The special-needs shelters are only for residents with medical issues that require electricity assistance or cognitive issues that would not be supported in a general population shelter, the county said.

Residents bringing pets to one of the pet-friendly shelters need to bring a sturdy carrier for each pet that allows room for the pet to stand up and move around, as well as a collar with a leash and supplies for each pet to last seven days. Find more information on how residents can prepare their pets.

Residents can confirm evacuation zones and register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County's official public notification system, at HCFL.gov/StaySafe or by calling 833-HCSTORM.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) will run evacuation bus routes for those who need transportation to a shelter. More information can be found here.

Sandbags

Hillsborough County’s sandbag locations will be open Wednesday until 7 p.m. at:

Sandbags are also available to city of Tampa residents on Wednesday until 7 p.m. at the following locations:

County residents are eligible for a maximum of 10 sandbags per vehicle. City residents can take 10 bags per household.

Identification is required at both county- and city-run sites.

Hillsborough County Schools

All Hillsborough County Schools are closed Wednesday and Thursday, and all after-school programs, activities and athletics are canceled.

Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative

All libraries in Evacuation Zone A are closed Wednesday and Thursday. This includes the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, Ruskin Branch Library, and Town 'N Country Regional Public Library.

All other libraries and book returns will close Wednesday at 5 p.m. and remain closed through Thursday.

Public Transportation

HART bus service, HARTPlus, HARTFlex and TECO Streetcar will operate on a normal schedule Wednesday.