How much storm surge will Hurricane Milton bring to Florida? See the risk by area
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Hurricane Milton: What to know
A guide to closings across South Florida and the state, local weather, storm preparation.
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Life-threatening storm surge is expected to surge across Florida’s coast ahead of Hurricane Milton’s forecast landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Milton could thrust 15 feet of surge across parts of Florida’s coast between Fort Myers Beach and Crystal River before crossing the state and bringing up to 5 feet of surge to parts of the east coast.
If Hurricane Milton sticks to its general track, the only coastal areas that appear free of notable storm surge are in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in South Florida.
READ MORE: Evacuees flee Florida Gulf Coast ahead of strengthening Cat 4 Hurricane Milton
What Florida may see from Milton’s storm surge
The National Hurricane Center’s peak storm surge forecast map on Wednesday gives projected totals along the west and east coasts of Florida. The Gulf Coast will bear the brunt of Milton.
Forecast surge on the Gulf Coast
▪ 10-15 feet: Boca Grande to Anna Maria Island.
▪ 8-12 feet: Bonita Beach to Boca Grande.
▪ 5 to 8 feet: Chokoloskee.
▪ 4-7 feet: Chokoloskee.
▪ 3-5 feet: Flamingo to Chokoloskee.
▪ 2-4 feet: Aripeka to Yankeetwown in the north and Dry Tortugas in the south.
Forecast surge on the east coast
▪ 3-5 feet: Sebastian Inlet to Altamaha Sound.
▪ 2-4 feet: Altamaha Sound to Edisto Beach.
▪ 1-3 feet: Florida Keys and Palm Beach/Martin County to Sebastian Inlet. Also Edisto Beach to South Santee River.
Storm surge warning
Where is the storm surge warning?
On Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami placed the following areas under a storm surge warning:
▪ Florida west coast from Flamingo northward to Yankeetown, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay.
▪ Sebastian Inlet Florida to Altamaha Sound, Georgia, including the St. Johns River.
What is a storm surge warning?
Like hurricane or tropical storm warnings vs. watches it’s a matter of timing. Warnings mean the danger is closer to reality, the watch means you’ve a bit more time.
A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline during the next 36 hours in indicated locations. You will want to heed evacuation orders and follow other instructions from local officials, the center urges.
Storm surge watch
Where is the storm surge watch?
A storm surge watch is in effect for:
▪ North of Altamaha Sound, Georgia to Edisto Beach, South Carolina.
What is a storm surge watch?
A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in indicated locations during the next 48 hours.
This story was originally published October 8, 2024 at 5:20 PM.
