Sunshine Skyway Bridge closes ahead of Milton

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge closed around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, as winds began to pick up before Hurricane Milton’s landfall.

The bridge typically closes once wind speeds reach a sustained 45 miles per hour. All three bridges across Tampa Bay — the Howard Frankland and Gandy bridges and the Courtney Campbell Causeway — are expected to close later Wednesday as waters rise and waves begin to crash against barrier walls.

The Skyway Bridge, situated at the mouth of Tampa Bay, will likely have to sustain the worst of the Category 4 storm’s winds — now expected to barrel toward the bay at 130 miles per hour.

Earlier Wednesday, an eerie calm belied the chaos ahead. The Howard Frankland was deserted, the few cars on the road leaving Pinellas County for Hillsborough. The dark bay water stirred only slightly as winds remained minimal.

Blinking highway signs told a terse story: Tolls suspended. Evacuations ordered. The bridges will close.

Times staff writers Zachary T. Sampson and Emily L. Mahoney contributed to this report.

• • •

Tampa Bay Times hurricane coverage 2024

5 things to know about the 2024 hurricane season, according to forecasters.

Forecasters predict ‘extremely active’ 2024 hurricane season. Here’s why.

Want to know what areas are flooding in Tampa Bay? Here’s where to look.

Checklists for building all kinds of storm kits.