Oct 08, 2024, 4:56 PM EDT
Milton strengthens to Category 5 again
Milton has re-strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane with 165 mph winds.
Hurricane Milton updates: 16 dead across Florida in storm's aftermath
Milton forced millions to evacuate and left widespread destruction.
Last Updated: October 11, 2024, 11:28 PM EDT
At least 16 people have died from Hurricane Milton, which roared onshore on Florida's west coast as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing tornadoes, powerful winds and flooding rains. The monster storm forced millions to evacuate and left widespread destruction across Florida.
Latest headlines:
- Oct 11, 2024, 4:13 PM EDT
- Oct 11, 2024, 11:27 PM EDT
- Oct 11, 2024, 3:57 PM EDT
- Oct 11, 2024, 3:09 PM EDT
Here's how the news is developing.
Oct 08, 2024, 4:29 PM EDT
17% of stations without gas in Florida: GasBuddy
On Tuesday afternoon, 17.4% of Florida’s gas stations were out of fuel, according to GasBuddy data.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that, despite long lines at gas stations, the state didn’t have a fuel shortage. He said on Tuesday that 27 fuel trucks were escorted by the highway patrol overnight to help replenish gas stations.
Oct 08, 2024, 4:06 PM EDT
Disney World announces closure
Disney World said its parks will close in phases as the hurricane approaches.
Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will close at 1 p.m. Wednesday while Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney Springs will close one hour later.
The parks will likely stay closed on Thursday, Disney said.
Disney is the parent company of ABC News.
Oct 08, 2024, 11:45 PM EDT
Tracking Milton: Latest forecast
Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.
Milton is forecast to weaken as it approaches Florida, but is expected to be a strong Category 3 hurricane when it makes landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday near Tampa and Sarasota.
ABC News
The Tampa area is bracing for a potentially record-breaking storm surge up to 15 feet. This would shatter the record-breaking storm surge set just two weeks ago from Hurricane Helene.
Storm surge could reach 12 feet in Fort Myers.
ABC News
Because of Milton’s large size, tropical storm-force winds are expected across nearly all of Florida. These winds will likely cause widespread damage to property and trees and leave millions without power for days to weeks.
The highest rain totals are expected from Tampa to Orlando to Daytona, where an extreme flash flood risk -- the highest level -- is in effect.
Five to 12 inches of rain is in the forecast; locally up to 18 inches is expected.
-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin
