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    • Milton expected to become a hurricane that would hit Florida: Updates
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    Milton expected to become a hurricane that would hit Florida: Updates

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    SARASOTA, Fla. – Tropical Storm Milton strengthened Sunday as it rolled through the Gulf of Mexico on a track that endangers areas of the Florida peninsula still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s devastation.

    Milton was expected to become a hurricane late Sunday, with “steady and rapid strengthening” forecast over the next few days, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm could become a major hurricane before it reaches the coast, and Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for about half of Florida’s 67 counties.

    “The risk of life-threatening impacts is increasing for portions of the west coast of Florida,” National Hurricane Center specialist Eric Blake warned in an update on the storm Sunday.

    The rain, which has already started here, could reach totals of 6 to 8 inches through Wednesday evening, with local totals of up to 12 inches in parts of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys, Blake said. However, there is still uncertainty about the intensity and track of Tropical Storm Milton, and the storm could hit Florida as a major hurricane or weaken it, the hurricane center said.

    “Regardless of the details, there is increasing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will hit parts of the west coast of Florida by mid-week,” the hurricane center said. “Residents there should keep a close eye on this system and listen to local officials.”

    Developments:

    ∎ Milton was 800 miles west-southwest of Tampa early Sunday, packing sustained winds of 60 mph.

    ∎ The storm was moving east at 5 mph (8 km/h), but was expected to gain speed and turn east-northeast over the next few days.

    Tropical Storm Milton tracker: A major hurricane is forecast to hit Florida

    Landfall near Tampa Bay is possible

    Accuweather forecasters say in their early Sunday reports that they expect Milton to strengthen into a major Category 3 hurricane before making landfall near Tampa Bay on Wednesday morning.

    “This is an unusual and extremely concerning forecast for a hurricane approaching the Tampa Bay area,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said. “This hurricane could cause a life-threatening storm surge. Please make sure your family and friends in this area are prepared.”

    The good news is that Milton should turn eastward over the Atlantic Ocean after crossing Florida, the hurricane center said. Helene moved north, creating a path of death and destruction for hundreds of miles through Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, Tennesee and Virginia.

    Sarasota area is still cleaning up from Helene

    Sarasota County authorities advised residents to secure debris from Hurricane Helene. Debris collection trucks worked “as safely and quickly as possible” to remove debris from Helene before Milton.

    “The approaching storm brings additional challenges for our community and first responders,” county officials said in a statement. “If possible, secure debris to prevent loose debris from becoming airborne in high winds, which poses an additional hazard.”

    Neighboring Manatee County has declared a new state of emergency for Tropical Storm Milton, in addition to the state of emergency still in effect for Hurricane Helene. The water level in Lake Manatee was lowered ahead of the heavy rain. “Start preparing now for potential storm surge and rain impacts,” provincial officials advised.

    Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK−Florida

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