7PM CDT Hurricane Milton Update: Pressure Has Dropped to a Near-Historic Low; More Strengthening Still Expected

Hurricane Hunters have now found a central low pressure measurement of 897 mb, with wind speeds at 180 mph. Milton has the potential to be a record-breaking storm as it moves across the Gulf. We are still expecting some weakening before landfall on Wednesday, but this will be a truly detrimental storm for central Florida. Landfall is set to occur at or near Tampa Bay.

Millions of people have begun evacuating areas in Florida in the wake of Milton, and it is being reported that there is a massive traffic jam on I-275 as people desperately flee the impact zones. Although it may be an inconvenience, people are highly encouraged to follow evacuation orders if they are able to do so.

Here are the latest stats from the NHC:

…CENTRAL PRESSURE IN THE EYE OF MILTON HAS FALLEN TO A NEAR RECORD
LOW…
…MILTON POSES AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS THREAT TO FLORIDA AND
RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO FOLLOW THE ORDERS OF LOCAL OFFICIALS…

SUMMARY OF 700 PM CDT…0000 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…21.9N 90.4W
ABOUT 60 MI…100 KM NW OF PROGRESO MEXICO
ABOUT 650 MI…1045 KM SW OF TAMPA FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…180 MPH…285 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…E OR 90 DEGREES AT 10 MPH…17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…897 MB…26.49 INCHES

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…
* West coast of Florida from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee
River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…
* Celestun to Rio Lagartos
* Florida west coast from Bonita Beach northward to the mouth of the
Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…
* Sebastian Inlet to Edisto Beach, including St. Johns River

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche
* Campeche to south of Celestun
* Dry Tortugas
* Lake Okeechobee
* Florida west coast from Chokoloskee to south of Bonita Beach
* Florida east coast from the St. Lucie/Indian River County Line
northward to the mouth of the St. Marys River

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Rio Lagartos to Cancun
* Campeche to south of Celestun
* All of the Florida Keys, including Dry Tortugas
* Lake Okeechobee
* Florida west coast from Flamingo to south of Bonita Beach
* Florida west coast from north of the mouth of the Suwanee River to
Indian Pass

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* East coast of the Florida Peninsula south of the St. Lucie/Indian
River County Line southward to Flamingo
* Coast of Georgia and South Carolina from north of the mouth of the
St. Marys River to South Santee River, South Carolina

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