TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Milton is now a Category 3 hurricane and is forecast to approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula Wednesday night.
ABC Action News Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips said Hurricane Milton's storm surge will be coming into Tampa Bay. However, as of 5 p.m., Phillips said the National Hurricane Center had dropped the projected storm surge forecast to 6 feet to 9 feet in the bay.
Phillips will be providing continuous coverage in the feed above as the storm makes landfall.
ABC Action News Meteorologist Greg Dee said the NHC has seen the wobble of the storm and adjusted the path accordingly.
"The NHC....now have it (Milton) coming across NW Manatee and Southern Hillsborough. Winds down to 120 mph. Surge threat for the Bay has increased. Strong winds will be north of the track across Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco Counties."
ABC Action News Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips has everything you need to know about Milton and what the effects could bring to the area.
Here are Denis Phillips' overnight thoughts from Wednesday evening:
- Unfortunately, our streak of 103 years is over. The Bay Area is being hit by a major hurricane. Winds are down to 120 mph and is weakening. Unfortunately, the surge will be a big issue for much of the coast. The NHC has adjusted the track closer to the Bay. They now forecast a surge of 6 to 9 feet in the Bay. That is lower than the 10-15 feet surge originally predicted. I suspect the SOUTHERN Bay will see more water than the Northern side.
- The storms looks as expected. The northern half is very squally, and the Southern half has practically no rain. This will continue. If you live South of this line, there won't be much rain. If you live North of the line, there will be a TON of rain. 8 to 12 inches of rain is likely.
- As for winds, they are weaker, but it is STILL a Category 3 major hurricane. The winds will be very intense in about a 5 to 7 miles stretch near the eye. Outside of that area, hurricane winds extend only 35 miles out. Most folks will see winds gusting 75-90 near the track. 65 to 85 are you get farther away from the eye. It is quite possible an "Extreme Wind Warning" will be issued for the area right near the eye. That is a warning for winds sustained of 115 mph. It will be small, but extremely powerful.
This is an emotional time. Anxiety is through the roof. We are ready. We've done the preps. We've evacuated areas along the coast. This is what we've been dreading for decades. Together, we will get through this. I refuse to let a storm named Milton get the best of me. I'm sure you feel the same way. Neighbor helping neighbor. That's the way it starts. @Floridastrong
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