Hurricane Watches posted in Florida as Milton continues to rapidly intensify

MIAMI — The first Hurricane Watches have been posted along Florida’s west coast as millions of people across the region prepare for dangerous impacts from Hurricane Milton, such as a life-threatening storm surge, destructive winds and flooding rain.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Florida’s Gulf Coast from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay. A Storm Surge Watch was also issued for Florida’s Gulf Coast from Flamingo northward to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay. Tropical Storm Watches have also been issued for Florida’s Gulf Coast.

“Milton is rapidly intensifying,” the National Hurricane Center wrote Sunday night. “Satellite images indicate very deep convection in the eyewall and hints of an eye starting to appear.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other state officials held a news conference on Sunday morning and said evacuations are likely, and time is running out to prepare for the hurricane‘s potentially deadly impacts.