Current Location: 21.7N, 91.8W
Geographic Reference: 125 miles West of Progresso, MX
Movement: East at 10 mph
Max Winds: 155 mph gusting to 185 mph
Current Hurricane Severity Index: 24 out of a possible 50 points (4 size, 20 intensity)
Max Predicted Hurricane Severity Index: 27 out of a possible 50 points (4 size, 23 intensity)
Current Radius of Tropical Storm-Force Winds: 115 miles
Max Predicted Radius of Tropical Storm-Force Winds: 290 miles
Organizational Trend: Increasing Explosively
Forecast Confidence: Average
Estimated Central Pressure: 940 mb

 Key Points

• Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified and is now a Category 5 Hurricane. Milton will impact Florida as a major hurricane. Additional rapid intensification is expected today. Milton is expected to weaken a little and become a category 3 hurricane, with winds around 120 mph, when it moves toward Florida.
• Hurricane Milton is moving slightly south of due west. This motion is likely to continue today. 
• Hurricane Milton is now forecast to make landfall a little south of the Tampa Bay, Florida, late Wednesday. The track has shifted slightly north of the previous forecast.
• Changes to the eventual track can be expected, it is important not to focus on single model runs or solutions!
• Significant wind and wave impacts are expected.
• As Hurricane Milton is expected to grow in size as it approaches Florida, this will increase the storm surge threat to Florida. Winds will cause widespread and long-lasting power outages as well as moderate to major damage.
• Storm surge damage will increase due to debris from Hurricane Helene.

Captiva Island Information

• The current rain event will continue to push across the state today.
• A Flood Watch is in effect for Lee County until Thursday, October 10, 2024. 
• Rainfall amounts from the storm are expected to be 6-9 inches for Sanibel and Captiva Island on Wednesday.
• Possible storm surge of 5-10 feet are possible on Wednesday as the center nears the coast of Florida to the north. Major coastal flooding and some damage is expected.
• Travel is expected to be impacted!
• 2000 sandbags will be available to all residents. Sand has been ordered but we do not have an estimated time of arrival.

Lee County Information

• The Emergency Operation Center is prepared to fully activate Monday. 
• Lee County has issued MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERS for Zones A & B beginning noon on Monday.  Residents should leave before Tuesday evening and find a safe place to stay. 
• All Lee County tolls have been suspended.
• Curfews for Lee County will be announced later today.
• Lee County has declared a local state of emergency.  
• County offices are now closed and will remain closed through Thursday. 
• Lee County Schools are now closed and will remain closed through Thursday. 
• Shelter locations will open Monday at 3:00 pm and those locations can be found here. 
• Garbage pick-up will conclude today and suspend operations through the end of the week.
• Lee County Utilities will shut off water to Fort Myers Beach at noon Tuesday, Oct. 8. This is a precautionary measure to protect infrastructure.  All other Lee County Utilities operations continue as normal.