TAMPA, Fla. — More than 50 tornado warnings have been issued as Hurricane Milton’s outer rain bands bring fierce winds to the Florida Peninsula on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service said as of 3 p.m. on Oct. 9, a total of 53 tornado warnings had been issued. That includes warnings issued by NWS Tampa Bay, NWS Miami and NWS Melbourne. Forty-one of those were issued by NWS Miami.
Hurricane Milton has spawned an outbreak of tornadoes across the state that has caused severe damage across Florida.
As of 2 p.m., NWS Miami had confirmed at least seven tornadoes, including two in Lakeport.
A suspected tornado also ripped through parts of Fort Myers on Wednesday afternoon, leaving behind serious damage.
Residents are warned to remain sheltered in place, even in the outer bands of Milton, because of flooding rains, tropical-storm force winds and the threat of tornadoes.
“These tornadoes spin up quickly and move even more so – making staying in a safe place the best possible option,” the National Weather Service said.
As bands from Milton are moving ashore, conditions are favorable for tornado development across the central and southern Florida Peninsula, even far away from the expected landfall.
More on Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton has slightly weakened to a Category 3 storm as it approaches Florida's west coast, the National Hurricane Center said. Now is the time to "rush to complete all preparations to protect life and property," the NHC said.
Milton came on the scene on Saturday as a tropical storm. Early Monday morning, Milton kicked off a rapid intensification starting as a Category 2 storm. It had waffled between Category 4 and 5 strength since Tuesday.
The NHC says landfall is expected to be sometime Wednesday night along the Gulf Coast.
A hurricane warning is in effect for:
- Florida west coast from Bonita Beach northward to Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay
- Florida east coast from the St. Lucie/Martin County Line northward to Ponte Vedra Beach
A hurricane watch has been issued for the following:
- Dry Tortugas
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida west coast from Chokoloskee to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida east coast north of Ponte Vedra Beach to the mouth of the St. Marys River
- Florida east coast from the St. Lucie/Martin County Line to the Palm Beach/Martin County Line
A tropical storm warning is in place for:
- Florida Keys, including Dry Tortugas and Florida Bay
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida west coast from Flamingo to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida west coast from north of Suwanee River to Indian Pass
- Florida east coast south of the St. Lucie/Martin County Line to Flamingo
- North of Ponte Vedra Beach Florida to the Savannah River
- Extreme northwestern Bahamas, including Grand Bahama Island, the Abacos, and Bimini
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the following:
- North of the Savannah River to South Santee River South Carolina
A storm surge warning is in effect for:
- Florida west coast from Flamingo northward to Yankeetown, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay
- Sebastian Inlet Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia, including the St. Johns River
Our 10 Tampa Bay Weather team will continue to monitor any development and keep you informed, prepared and connected through the rest of hurricane season.
