- Hurricane Milton will move eastward to northeastward across the Gulf of Mexico, approaching the west coast of Florida by Wednesday. Rapid intensification is underway, and Milton is forecast to become a major hurricane later today.
- A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for all of the Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to Key West.
- A Coastal Flood Watch is in effect for all of the Florida Keys from Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon.
- A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for the Dry Tortugas.
- Potential impacts to the Florida Keys from Hurricane Milton include:
- Storm Surge flooding, with saltwater flooding of 1 to 3 feet above ground level at low elevation areas on the Gulf and Bay side from early Wednesday morning through Thursday. Atlantic-facing shorelines will be susceptible to overwash Wednesday into Wednesday night.
- High potential (almost 1 in 2; 45% chance) for sustained tropical storm-force winds. If realized, tropical storm-force winds could arrive as early as Tuesday evening, but will most likely arrive Wednesday morning.
- Thundery squalls with localized wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph Tuesday night through Wednesday.
- Flooding rainfall is possible with total amounts through Wednesday night most likely in the 5 to 10 inch range, and isolated locations receiving as much as 15 inches. A significant portion of this rainfall will occur today and tonight, well in advance of Milton’s closest approach. Flooding of low-elevation streets and poor drainage areas is likely.
- Residents and visitors in the Florida Keys should closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Milton. Protective actions to secure loose outdoor objects from strong wind gusts and protect against saltwater flooding should be completed by sunset Tuesday.
The next update is scheduled for 1230 PM Monday.
Briefings are also posted to https://www.weather.gov/media/key/DSS/dssbrief_land.pdf