Hurricane watch issued for Jax as Milton plows toward Florida

Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane Monday morning, and a hurricane watch was issued Monday afternoon for Northeast Florida.

Milton’s maximum sustained winds have increased to 180 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in an update at 5 p.m.

Winds will begin to increase in the Jacksonville area Tuesday night and could reach tropical storm strength during the day Wednesday. The effects are expected to peak here late Wednesday into Thursday, slightly later than forecast earlier, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville.

Milton is expected to weaken slightly as it nears Florida, but it will grow in size and remain a large and powerful hurricane, the Hurricane Center said.

Only Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and Felix in 2007 intensified as rapidly as Milton, the center said.

Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said Florida is preparing for the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Guthrie on Monday encouraged Gulf Coast residents to evacuate inland or to areas north like Jacksonville.

“If you are 100% going to need to be dependent on power, and you have the means to do so, you may want to consider a Jacksonville,” he said. “It’s likely that Jacksonville will not experience any type of power outage.”

JEA is preparing for outages nonetheless. The utility said Monday afternoon that it could take longer than usual to restore power because thousands of utility crews remain in the Southeast after Hurricane Helene.

What does Milton mean for Jax area?

An 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center shifted the forecast cone slightly north, toward Jacksonville, and it remained in that position at 5 p.m.

The cone represents the potential path of the storm’s center; it is not intended to represent all areas that could be affected. Damaging effects are possible well outside the cone.

It’s too early to pinpoint the exact location Milton will make landfall. Minor fluctuations to the north or south of the current path will have large implications for Milton’s ultimate landfall and impacts.

The National Hurricane Center says Milton is still moving east-south eastward at about 9 mph. Global models continue to insist that Milton will turn eastward soon as the low pressure area over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico leaves the region.

Northeast Florida could start to feel the effects as soon as Tuesday night, with the heaviest rain expected through Wednesday night. There’s also a chance of tornadoes on Wednesday and a 30% to 50% chance of tropical storm-force winds, meaning at least 39 mph, the National Hurricane Center says.

JEA said wind gusts could reach 70 mph in some areas.

Even before Milton arrives, the National Weather Service expects a local nor’easter to dump heavy rain in our area, according to a Clay County emergency management spokesperson. All told, we could be looking at six or seven days of continued rainfall, which has local emergency managers on watch for flooding around creeks and rivers.

Six to 8 inches inches of rain are expected in the Jacksonville area, with up to 12 inches in some areas. The National Hurricane Center forecasts storm surge of 3 to 5 feet in Northeast Florida.

Heavy rainfall will pose a mounting threat for flash flooding this week. The Hurricane Center predicts at least a 40% chance of flash flooding along the First Coast.

Deteriorating coastal and marine conditions, including a high risk of rip currents along the Atlantic Coast, and tidal flooding are also expected, especially within the St. Johns River basin.

Already weakened trees and limbs from Helene could lead to additional tree damage, the forecast says.

See the latest forecast here.

Jacksonville

Duval and St. Johns County schools announced they will close from Wednesday through Friday, and other closures are increasing.

Keep an eye on jaxready.com for updates from Duval County emergency managers.

JEA announced Sunday it is continuing its suspension of disconnections for non-payment, begun after Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago, in light of the new storm.

To report power outages during Milton:

1. Visit jea.com/outage to view JEA’s Electric Outage Map and report an electric or water outage
2. Call (904) 665-6000 to use the automated system
3. Text OUT to 69532 (MyJEA)

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is urging the community to give blood now to help prepare, as blood collections will be affected during and after the storm. Donating ensures blood will be available to help patients suffering from traumas, cancers and chronic illnesses. All blood types are needed, especially type O donors and platelet donors.

Clay County

Clay County will offer sandbags on Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sandbags are limited to 10 per person and are first come, first served and DIY. Shovels are not provided.

The county will continue to offer bags until they are gone or if it becomes unsafe for employees to be outside. The county will refill the sites as needed.

Sandbag locations:

• Eagle Harbor Sports Complex, 4387 Lakeshore Drive, Fleming Island.
• 25 Roderigo Ave., Green Cove Springs.
• Orange Park Sports and Recreational Park, 1086 Fromhart St., Orange Park.
• Middleburg-Clay Hill Omega Park, 4317 County Road 218, Middleburg.
• Keystone Heights, across from City Hall, 555 S. Lawrence Blvd., Keystone Heights.

St. Johns County

St. Johns County will provide free sandbags from noon to 5 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday as long as weather permits and supplies last. The locations are:

• Windswept Acres Park , 5335 State Road A1A South, St. Augustine
• Solomon Calhoun Center , 1300 Duval Street, St. Augustine.
• St. Johns County Equestrian Center , 8200 Smith Road, Hastings.
• Mills Field , 1805 Racetrack Road, St. Augustine.
• North Beach Park , 3721 Coastal Highway, Vilano Beach.
• Palm Valley Bridge , ​East Side of Intracoastal Waterway.

News Service of Florida reporter Jim Turner and Leslie Hudson of the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network contributed to this report.

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