Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified to a category 5 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm was about 715 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida at 10 a.m. The storm’s winds were 160 miles per hour, according to the NHC update at 10 a.m.
The storm is expected to make landfall on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. as a major hurricane.
The hurricane’s path does not currently result in any impacts for Santa Rosa County.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…
* Celestun to Rio Lagartos
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche
* Campeche to south of Celestun
* Florida Gulf coast from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwanee
River, including Tampa Bay
* Dry Tortugas
* Lake Okeechobee
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…
* Florida Gulf coast from Flamingo northward to the mouth of the
Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Rio Lagartos to Cancun
* Campeche to south of Celestun
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* Florida Gulf coast from Flamingo to south of Chokoloskee
* Florida Gulf coast north of the mouth of the Suwanee River to
Indian Pass
* Lower, Middle, and Upper Florida Keys, including Florida Bay