A storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico earlier Saturday has strengthened into Tropical Storm Milton, with meteorologists warning it could strengthen into a hurricane heading toward Florida next week.
Tropical Storm Milton is located about 220 miles (355 kilometers) northeast of Veracruz, Mexico, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in a warning at 1:25 p.m. EDT.
Although there are no coastal advisories or warnings, the hurricane center said the Florida Peninsula, Florida Keys, Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and northwestern Bahamas should watch the system’s progress.
The storm is expected to intensify and bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to parts of Florida’s west coast next week, and hurricane and storm watches are likely to be in effect on Sunday. Parts of Florida are expected to see heavy rain starting Sunday. The rainfall will bring a risk of flash flooding in urban and regional areas, along with some river flooding.
“There is an increased risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts over portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning late Tuesday or Wednesday,” the center said. “Residents in these areas should make sure they have their own hurricane plan, and follow any Advice provided by local officials, and check back for forecast updates.”
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Looking to the east, Leslie has strengthened into a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean, but is not threatening land, meteorologists said.
Saturday’s storm was located about 725 miles (1,170 kilometers) west-southwest of the southernmost islands of Cabo Verde, with maximum wind speeds of 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour). There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Kirk remained a major Category 4 hurricane, and waves from the system were impacting the Leeward Islands, Bermuda and the Greater Antilles, forecasters said. Storm waves are expected to extend to the East Coast of the United States, the Atlantic Coast of Canada, and the Bahamas on Saturday night and Sunday.
Meteorologists warned that the waves could cause life-threatening waves and affect current conditions.
Kirk is expected to weaken as of Saturday, the center said.
Although there are no coastal warnings or watches in effect for Kirk, the center said those in the Azores, where waves could hit Monday, should monitor the storm’s progress.
Kirk was about 975 miles (1,570 km) east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (209 km/h).
Storms tore through the Atlantic Ocean as rescuers in the southeastern United States searched for unaccounted people after Hurricane Helen struck last week, leaving a trail of deaths and catastrophic damage.
& Edition 2024 The Canadian Press
