(Miami, FL) - The National Hurricane Center says Category 4 Hurricane Milton is still set to make landfall somewhere along the Gulf coast as a "dangerous major hurricane."
SUMMARY OF 1100 AM EDT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
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LOCATION...25.8N 84.3W
ABOUT 160 MI...255 KM WSW OF FT. MYERS FLORIDA
ABOUT 190 MI...305 KM SW OF TAMPA FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...145 MPH...230 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NE OR 35 DEGREES AT 17 MPH...28 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...931 MB...27.50 INCHES
Hurricane-force winds stretch 30 miles out from the center of Hurricane Milton and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.
Governor Ron DeSantis says the largest National Guard deployment in Florida history (9000) is in place as well as the largest staging of utility workers and linemen in American history (50,000) is ready to restore power.
The governor also warns opportunistic criminals that after the storm, law enforcement is ready to keep law and order. He warned anyone planning to take advantage of storm victims to "not even think about it." Adding, you'll regret it."
He also says FDLE has added additional out-of-state law enforcement to keep law and order after the storm.
DeSantis says there are 26 teams of search and rescue teams embedded in the potential impact sites. And in Total nearly 10-thousand National Guardsmen from Florida and out of state have been deployed.
Several major bridges in the Tampa Bay area are set to close as Hurricane Milton approaches, with officials urging residents to plan their evacuation routes accordingly.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge: This bridge will close when sustained winds exceed 45 mph. Officials anticipate a full closure by Wednesday afternoon as the storm approaches.
Howard Frankland and Gandy Bridges: Monitored by FHP, these bridges will close if water encroaches on the approaches. FDOT crews are preparing for potential closures by Wednesday afternoon for safety reasons.
Courtney Campbell Causeway: Monitored by the Tampa and Clearwater Police Departments, this causeway will close when water levels near the approaches make travel unsafe. Closures are anticipated by Wednesday afternoon.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue will close all fire stations in evac zones A and B ahead of Milton. All vehicles and personnel will be relocated to other stations to continue responding to 9-1-1 calls.