Floydbuster

Storm surge is different because of so many factors. I remember we didn't see the dreaded storm surge with Hurricane Charley, even though it hit Charlotte Harbor, FL as a 150 mph Category 4 hurricane, because it was so tiny, fast moving and was only a Category 4 for about two hours prior to landfall. Hurricane Ian was the same intensity and the exact same landfall location, but was much, much larger in size, slower moving, and had hours and hours as a Category 4 and 5 to build the disastrous storm surge.

Agree on the size. I was thinking (and so was the NHC early on) that Milton would become a much larger hurricane. Eventually, the tropical storm wind expanded out, but the hurricane force winds never really grew more than 30 miles or so from the eye. Helene had the hurricane winds extending 60 miles, and Ian had them extending out 50 miles. I also think Ian’s 150 mph winds and Helene’s 140 mph winds are a big difference from Milton’s small weakening 115-120 mph winds.

2am video update on Milton for my fellow night owls

https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/1844213454875525578 JUST IN: The roof of Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, has been ripped off

https://x.com/NDGMETCHEF/status/1844192985032069124 102 mph wind gust in Sarasota/Bradenton airport

Video update on Milton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrRLaOpCPso

I am impressed that the weakening slowed so much this evening. Looks like the eye is going a slight northeast wobble right now.

Agree. Way north of Charley and Ian. Looks like Tampa might actually have their first direct strike since 1921.

I'm guessing this comes in around 115 mph. Water still the biggest threat, although these twisters are causing a lot of damage.

Hurricane force winds still only extend out thirty miles from the center. Wow. I wonder if maybe it will stay smaller and stronger and further south rather than larger and weaker and further north?

They don't seem confident in exact landfall or intensity yet, and I don't blame them.

I am surprised how small Milton still is, I wonder if that could maybe lessen the extent of the storm surge if it doesn't expand the wind field much in the next 24 hours.

BULLETIN Hurricane Milton Intermediate Advisory Number 12A NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL142024 100 AM CDT Tue Oct 08 2024 ...EXTREMELY POWERFUL HURRICANE MILTON JUST NORTH OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA... ...MILTON POSES AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS THREAT TO FLORIDA AND RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO FOLLOW THE ORDERS OF LOCAL OFFICIALS... SUMMARY OF 100 AM CDT...0600 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...22.1N 89.2W ABOUT 65 MI...105 KM NNE OF PROGRESO MEXICO ABOUT 585 MI...840 KM SW OF TAMPA FLORIDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...155 MPH...250 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...E OR 90 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...924 MB...27.29 INCHES

NOAA aircraft "Gonzo" has left Florida, headed to Hurricane Milton.

So if 1921 was the last *direct* hit, would Longboat Key count as a direct hit today?

What a remarkable storm.

Thanks for the info on our tireless workers!

Uh oh.