Hurricane Milton tracker and forecast: Category 4 storm 'extremely dangerous'

Hurricane Milton weakened early Tuesday to a Category 4 storm as it takes aim at Florida's west coast. Landfall is expected as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Milton is closing in as Floridians are still recovering from the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene.

Latest Developments

_{Oct 8, 5:17 AM}

Milton becomes 'powerful' Category 4 storm

Hurricane Milton's maximum sustained winds were at about 155 mph early Tuesday, classifying the storm as a "powerful" Category 4 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said.

"While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida," the center said in a 1 a.m. ET update.

-ABC News' Jessica Gorman

_{Oct 8, 12:39 AM}

Hurricane Milton still Category 5, but winds slow to 165 mph

As of its 11 p.m. ET update, the National Hurricane Center said that Hurricane Milton now has wind speeds of 165 mph, slowing down by 15 mph from earlier Monday.

The storm still poses an "extremely serious threat" to Florida, the NHC said.

It's currently moving toward the Northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, per the NHC.

It is still forecast by the NHC to weaken to a Category 3 before making landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

-ABC News Senior Meteorologist Melissa Griffin

_{Oct 7, 9:57 PM}

President Biden speaks with Gov. DeSantis ahead of Milton hitting Florida

With Hurricane Milton inching closer to Florida, President Joe Biden spoke with Gov. Ron DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor Monday night, the White House said.

"This evening, the President had separate calls with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to get a firsthand report on recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene, and to discuss preparations for Hurricane Milton," the White House said in a statement. "He asked the Governor and the Mayor to call him directly if there is anything that can be done to further support the response and recovery efforts."

Biden also spoke with director of the National Weather Service Kein Graham, who briefed him on the "expected impacts" of Milton on Florida.

Graham emphasized that "this hurricane could have major impacts and that people in the storm's path should evacuate now while there is ample time to do so," according to the White House.

-ABC News' Molly Nagel

_{Oct 7, 8:23 PM}

Milton strongest hurricane in Gulf in nearly 20 years

Milton is now the strongest hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, by both wind and pressure, in nearly two decades, ABC News has determined.

As of 8 p.m. ET, Hurricane Milton's winds were holding steady at 180 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Hunters report that Milton's pressure has fallen to near a new record low of 897 mb. It is currently 650 miles southwest of Tampa, the NHC said.

-ABC News Senior Meteorologist Melissa Griffin

_{Oct 7, 7:39 PM}

Orlando, Tampa airports among those closing

The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, just outside of Tampa, Florida, will close at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and stay shut on Wednesday and Thursday.

"The airport is in a mandatory evacuation zone and is not a public shelter," airport officials tweeted. "Prepare and stay safe."

Tampa International Airport will suspend operations beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday and stay closed "until it can assess any damage after the storm," airport officials said.

The Orlando International Airport will close Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. and reopen as soon as it's safe, officials said. Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) will cease operations at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport will close at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

_{Oct 7, 6:42 PM}

Homeland Security secretary tells those with evacuation order to 'leave NOW'

Those currently under an evacuation order due to the threat of Hurricane Milton should leave now, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tweeted Monday evening.

"Hurricane #Milton is intensifying to record strength. If you've received an evacuation order, leave NOW," he tweeted. "@DHSgov, the Biden-Harris Admin, and local and state partners are prepositioning life-saving resources. Stay informed via @FEMA or the FEMA app."

_{Oct 7, 6:32 PM}

FEMA outlines preparations for Milton, talks 'extremely damaging' misinformation

Keith Turi, acting director of response and recovery for FEMA, outlined on Monday the agency's preparations for Hurricane Milton and urged anyone in the storm's path to take it seriously.

"We're urging anyone that is in an evacuation area, anyone that is told to evacuate, to please do so," Turi said.

He also hit back against misinformation and conspiracy theories about the storm, calling it "extremely damaging." In Georgia on Friday, former President Donald Trump pushed the baseless claim that FEMA had diverted disaster funds towards cities with an influx of migrants.

"It's unfortunate, because these individuals have been through extremely traumatic times," Turi said. "They've lost loved ones, they've lost their home and now they're being influenced by information that just isn't accurate."

_{Oct 7, 5:40 PM}

Milton storm surge forecast grows, winds now 180 mph

The storm surge forecast for Hurricane Milton has been revised higher by the National Hurricane Center.

Florida's west coast can expect a maximum of 10-15 feet in some areas, according to the NHC. Milton poses an "extremely serious" threat, the NHC said.

Winds are now clocking in at 180 mph, the NHC reported.

_{Oct 7, 4:15 PM}

Helene debris removal will continue until Milton’s winds reach tropical storm strength

The removal of debris from Hurricane Helene will continue until Hurricane Milton’s winds reach tropical storm strength in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said, noting that 663 total truckloads of debris have already removed.

Schools in at least 20 counties will be closed on Tuesday and many more will be closed on Wednesday as Hurricane Milton moves in.

There’s no fuel shortage in Florida, DeSantis said. Some gas stations have run out of fuel, but more is coming, he said.

-ABC News’ Darren Reynolds

_{Oct 7, 3:27 PM}

Latest forecast

Milton, currently a Category 5 hurricane with 175 mph winds, is located about 700 miles southwest of Tampa.

Hurricane Milton strengthened from a Category 1 hurricane to a Category 5 hurricane in just 10 hours.

Milton now ranks as the third-greatest 24-hour hurricane intensification by wind speed in the Atlantic Basin. (Records are based on data since the satellite-er began in the 1960s.) The only other hurricanes to intensify faster were Wilma in 2005 and Felix in 2007.

Milton is expected to remain a powerful Category 5 hurricane through Tuesday.

It’s forecast to weaken to a Category 3 on Wednesday before making landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Hurricane watches are in effect in Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples and Orlando.

Storm surge will be one of the biggest threats from Milton.

Hurricane Helene just brought a record 6 to 8 feet of storm surge to the Tampa Bay area, and Hurricane Milton is now forecast to smash that record with 8 to 12 feet of storm surge. Fort Myers could see 5 to 10 feet and Naples could get 4 to 7 feet of storm surge.

Milton will also bring very heavy rain, adding to the rainfall a separate system is dumping on Florida now.

A widespread 5 to 10 inches of rain is possible by the end of the week, with local amounts up to 15 inches, which could cause considerable urban and river flooding.

-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin

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