Tropical Storm Milton in Gulf of Mexico likely to bring heavy rainfall, flooding, storm surge to Florida: NHC
ORLANDO, Fl - Tropical Storm Milton – formerly Tropical Depression 14 - formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday and is expected to strengthen over the next several days before making landfall over Florida potentially as a hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The NHC warns that Tropical Storm Milton will bring life-threatening storm surge to portions of Florida's west coast this week, as well as heavy rain and the potential for flooding.
In its latest update, the NHC said Tropical Storm Milton was about 2:20 miles from Veracruz, Mexico, and 365 miles from Progreso, Mexico. It has sustained winds of 40 mph and is moving northeast at 3 mph.
The minimum central pressure is 1006 mb.
Tropical Storm Milton tracker: Spaghetti Models
How will Tropical Storm Milton impact Florida?
The NHC said Tropical Storm Milton is expected to quickly intensify into a hurricane as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida. It's expected to reach the west coast of Florida Wednesday morning, where it will be at or near hurricane strength.
There are risks of life-threatening storm surge, strong winds, and flooding as Tropical Storm Milton reaches Florida's coast, and then makes its way across the Florida Peninsula late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Heavy rainfall is expected Sunday and Monday.