Maps show track of Hurricane Milton as forecasters predict landfall in Florida

MIAMI — Hurricane Milton continued tracking eastward as a powerful Category 4 storm early this morning, with forecasts showing it on a path to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast mid-week. The storm was moving at 12 miles per hour over warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico and had maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.

“This is an extremely life-threatening situation & residents should follow advice given by local officials & evacuate immediately if told to do so,” the hurricane center warned. Forecasters predict Milton will make landfall as a major hurricane around the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday, though they said they expect it to weaken somewhat from its peak before striking land.

“While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida,” the hurricane center said. It will drench a large part of a state still reeling from Hurricane Helene. But predictions oscillated Monday on the timing of Milton’s landfall and the expected strength when it arrives, as the hurricane has changed quickly in a matter of hours.