Hurricane Milton poses an “extremely serious threat” to Florida as it heads towards the state, National Hurricane Center experts said in an Oct. 8 morning bulletin.
“Residents are urged to follow the orders of local officials,” the bulletin stated.
Milton strengthened on Monday to a Category 5 hurricane, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, before weakening back to a Category 4. Category 5 hurricanes produce winds of at least 157 miles per hour and are guaranteed to cause catastrophic damage, according to the center. By Tuesday morning, Milton’s maximum winds were near 155 miles per hour.
“While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida,” the center added….