North Atlantic Ocean: Hurricane Milton tracking east-northeastward away from Florida Oct. 10 /update 8

Hurricane Milton has weakened into a Category 1 hurricane and is tracking east-northeastward in the North Atlantic Ocean away from Florida Oct. 10 after making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Siesta Key in Sarasota County around 20:30 EDT Oct. 9 and tracking across the Florida Peninsula late Oct. 9-early Oct. 10. As of 11:00 EDT, the storm's center of circulation was approximately 220 km (135 miles) east-northeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Forecast models indicate the system will gradually weaken and transition into a post-tropical cyclone as it moves generally eastward across the North Atlantic Ocean Oct. 10-11 and passes south of Bermuda late Oct. 11-early Oct. 12. The system is likely to dissipate as it tracks east-northeastward further out into the North Atlantic Ocean Oct. 12-13. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes could occur in the coming days.

As of Oct. 10, authorities are maintaining the following watches and warnings:

Tropical Storm Warning

• Sebastian Inlet, Florida, northward to Edisto Beach, South Carolina

• Extreme northwestern Bahamas, including Grand Bahama Island and the Abacos

Storm Surge Warning

• Sebastian Inlet, Florida, to Altamaha Sound, Georgia, including the St. Johns River

Authorities will likely update, extend, or rescind the coverage of the weather advisories over the coming hours and days as the storm system develops.

Tropical storm conditions are occurring within the tropical storm warning areas in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and the extreme northwestern Bahamas. Additional rainfall amounts of around 2.5 cm (1 inch) are expected along the northeastern coast of Florida Oct. 10. In the wake of heavy rainfall from Milton, the risk of considerable urban flooding will linger through the morning Oct. 10 across east-central Florida. Moderate to major river flooding is ongoing and forecast throughout central Florida.

Storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 0.9-1.4 meters (3-5 feet) from the Flagler/Volusia County Line, Florida, to Altamaha Sound, Georgia, and 0.6-1.2 meters (2-4 feet) from Sebastian Inlet to the Flagler/Volusia County Line and in the St. John's River, Florida. Swells from the system will likely continue to affect portions of the southeast U.S. and the Bahamas over the coming days. These swells will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Heavy rainfall, storm surge, strong winds, and tornadoes have caused widespread flooding, damage, and casualties as the storm passed over Florida. At least 19 tornadoes are confirmed to have spawned and some areas have received as much as 46 cm (18 inches) of rainfall. Authorities have confirmed four fatalities after tornadoes struck a mobile home park in Fort Pierce in St. Lucie County. Many roads are blocked by flooding and debris, and the Little Ringling Bridge, which connects Lido Key and Longboat Key to Sarasota, sustained damage from the storm. Tropicana Field, a Major League Baseball stadium in St. Petersburg, is one of many buildings to have suffered damage. Emergency services have rescued dozens of people affected by flooding and storm damage. Authorities in Tampa and Pinellas County have advised residents to remain sheltered until further notice due to ongoing flooding and severe damage in the area. Damage assessments are ongoing as of Oct. 10, and it may take some time for the full extent of the storm's impact to be confirmed. As of Oct. 10, more than 3.4 million customers across Florida are without power. Telecommunication, mobile network, and water supply outages have also been reported in some affected areas.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 35 counties late Oct. 5 ahead of Milton's approach and expanded the order to include 16 more counties Oct. 6. President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida. Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders affecting millions of people remain in place across counties along Florida's west coast; the latest information concerning evacuations can be found HERE. Almost 150 shelters are open, supporting over 80,000 people; a list of shelters for evacuated residents can be found HERE. Curfews were in place overnight Oct. 9-10 in several areas, including Flagler County, Volusia County, Fort Myers Beach, Naples, and Sanibel.

Tampa International (TPA), Peter O. Knight (TPF), Tampa Executive (VDF), Plant City (PCM), St. Pete-Clearwater International (PIE), Sarasota Bradenton International (SRQ), and Orlando Executive (ORL), Orlando International (MCO), Orlando Sanford International (SFB), Daytona Beach International (DAB), Lakeland Linder International (LAL), Southwest Florida International (RSW), Melbourne Orlando International (MLB), Punta Gorda (PGD), and Palm Beach International (PIB) closed during the passing of the storm; airports are likely to gradually reopen through Oct. 10 once damage assessments have taken place. Residual flight disruptions are likely in affected regions over the coming days. Ports Canaveral, Key West, Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Fort Pierce, Palm Beach, Fernandina, SeaPort Manatee, and JAXPORT are closed, while ports Everglades and Miami are operating with restrictions to inbound vessels. Amtrak trains 91 and 97 on the Silver Service route will terminate at Jacksonville through Oct. 10, while trains 92 and 98 will originate at Jacksonville Oct. 8-11. The Auto Train Service, connecting Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Florida, is canceled Oct. 8-10. Brightline, Florida's high-speed rail, will suspend operations between West Palm Beach and Orlando Oct. 9-10. SunRail services remain suspended until at least Oct. 10.

Major bridges in Tampa Bay are closed, including the Sunshine Skyway, Howard Frankland Bridge, Gandy Causeway, and Courtney Campbell Causeway. The transit agencies in Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Palm Beach, Pascoe, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, St. Johns, and St. Lucie counties have suspended or modified services. Authorities have suspended tolls across Central Florida and West Florida, as well as Alligator Alley and 595 Express, through noon Oct. 14.

Authorities have told residents in parts of St. Petersburg, Florida, to limit water usage; the city shut down power at two sewer treatment plants as a precaution due to the forecast storm surge. All FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Florida suspended operations after the close of business late Oct. 7 in preparation for the severe weather. Schools in 46 counties and several universities across the affected area are closed through at least Oct. 10. At least 352 healthcare facilities have reported evacuations, including 16 hospitals.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary port closures are also possible. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding increase insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria.