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Weather began to deteriorate Wednesday as Hurricane Milton crept closer to a Florida Gulf Coast landing ahead of its expected track across the state and into Brevard County on Thursday.
Storm shelters throughout Brevard County opened Wednesday, and officials advised people that now was the time to get off the roads and shelter in place.
The powerful hurricane, now a Category 3, is expected to make landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida either late Wednesday or early Thursday as a “dangerous major hurricane,” according to the National Weather Service. From there, it will lose some steam as it crosses the state, but Milton is still predicted to be at least a Category 1 when it reaches Brevard bringing with it heavy winds, significant rainfall, possible flooding and a tornado threat.
Uncertainty remains with Milton’s track. Whatever minor shift Milton takes, the National Weather Service in Melbourne, said it’s important not to focus on the precise track.
“Hazardous conditions will occur well outside of the cone,” meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Melbourne posted. “Preparations should be rushed to completion.”
Where is Hurricane Milton?
Hurricane Milton was about 20 miles west/southwest of the Sarasota coastline, the National Hurricane Center reported in its 8 p.m. update. It is expected to make landfall soon.
Milton is now a Category 3 story with sustained winds of 120 mph, down slightly from from earlier in the day, while moving northeast at about 15 mph. It was forecast to keep moving in this direction through tonight. On the forecast track, the center of Milton will make landfall near or just south of the Tampa Bay region this evening, move across the central part of the Florida peninsula overnight, and likely run across Brevard County before heading out into the Atlantic.
Storm radar for Florida
Shelters open in Brevard County
Three shelters opened in Brevard County on Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.
The shelters are for “residents who live in manufactured or mobile homes, flood-prone or low-lying areas, or those needing safe harbor from potentially dangerous wind and rain conditions anticipated from Hurricane Milton, which is expected to begin impacting the county sometime late Wednesday and continuing throughout the day Thursday,” according to a release from county officials.
- South Mainland Community Center, 3700 Allen Ave., Micco, FL 32976
- Walter Butler Community Center, 4201 N Cocoa Blvd, Cocoa, FL 32927
- Wickham Park Community Center, 2815 Leisure Way, Melbourne, FL 32935
The shelters are pet friendly. Space Coast Area Transit will provide transportation to the shelters for registered special needs clients. To request transportation to a special needs shelter call 2-1-1.
Residents going to shelters will need to take their own supplies, including bedding, folding chairs, or sleeping bags. It’s also recommended to bring any needed medications, multiple changes of clothing, personal hygiene items and entertainment items, like games, cards, books or magazines.
Watch meteorologist’s live forecast with updates on Hurricane Milton
Meteorologist Ryan Truchelut, of Tallahassee-based WeatherTiger, is tracking category 4 Hurricane Milton and is offering up-to-the-minute meteorological insight and running analysis on what to expect through its catastrophic landfall in the Sarasota area on the west-central Florida coast.
Truchelut will be livestreaming updates, which you can see here.
The storm is expected to crash into the coast between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday, unleashing destructive winds and a wall of water unlike any this part of Florida has ever seen.
“Hurricanes Milton and Helene are likely to go down as one of the most devastating one-two statewide punches of all time.” Truchelut said. “My goal is to keep you safe by providing accurate, no-hype, real-time information through the time Milton is inland and weakening and we have a good idea how things will play out.”
Sign up for text messages about Hurricane Milton
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As a resource, we are manning a text message service to bring you the latest updates on Hurricane Milton, connect you with resources and answer questions. To sign up, submit your number below or text ‘Hello’ to (239) 241-6343.
We will do our best to answer every question individually, but depending on volume of inquiries we may not be able to get to every message right away. It is important to note that we are not an emergency services line, so if you have an emergency please call 911 or your local authorities right away.
9:00 p.m.: Reported tornado severely damages Cocoa Beach buildings
8:28 p.m.: Flooding reported across the county
Flooding reports continue to come in from around the county.
According to Brevard County spokesman Don Walker, the Rivers Edge Motel in Grant has sustained flooding in multiple rooms with water up to a foot high. Eight people have been taken to a shelter, with one person refusing to leave.
7:01 Suspected tornado touches down in Cocoa Beach damaging two buildings
Cocoa Beach Police Department is on the scene at 1600 N. Atlantic Avenue and St. Croix Avenue where a reported tornado left two buildings with major damage, according to a report from Brevard County government. The area near the Banana River Square Publix is currently closed while FPL along with police and fire personnel are on the scene assessing damage.
Cocoa Beach police are confirming that six to eight buildings sustained moderate to major roof damage and that families have potentially been displaced as a result from the tornado. Two commercial buildings received major damage and there are several powerlines down in the area while multiple streets have been left flooded and impassable.
Cocoa Beach Mayor Keith Capizzi who lives near by post a video to Facebook saying the tornado hit his home and showing the trees knocked over in his yard.
Melbourne-based National Weather Service meteorologist Melissa Watson said the report of the possible tornado in Cocoa Beach came in at 6:39 p.m., with the incident occurring within the previous hour.
Watson said her office had not received other reports of tornadoes within Brevard County, although there have been some reported in other nearby counties.
6:30 p.m.: Low-lying areas already seeing flooding
Hours before Hurricane Milton was due to hit the West Coast of Florida it was already dumping torrential rains on Brevard County. Officials say the storm could end up dropping as much as 15 inches of rain in Central Florida.
Some low-lying areas of the county are already under water.
The Palm Bay place are starting to see flooding in areas around the city due to Hurricane #Milton. They ask that you avoid the following roadways and intersections:
*Port Malabar Blvd and Babcock Street
*Americana Blvd and Atlantic Ave NE
The Palm Bay Police Department wants to remind you, if you see standing water on the roadways to Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
5:35 p.m. Brevard Emergency Operations Center ready for Hurricane Milton
Over a dozen agencies and departments are staged at the Brevard County Emergency Operations Center in Rockledge, where they are poised to respond immediately to problems stemming from Hurricane Milton.
The EOC will serve as the nerve center for agencies ranging from FPL to PSFB to law enforcement as they coordinate handling hurricane-related issues as soon as they arise.
5:25 p.m. Already signs of damage from Hurricane Milton in Brevard
Hurricane Milton was still a long way away from the Space Coast on Wednesday afternoon.
But Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey says some stop signs in the city already have been damaged.
Alfrey said he is hoping that the city’s traffic lights, which have been mounted on mast arms, survive the storm’s high winds.
Another concern for the city, Alfrey said, will be flooding, including in flood-prone neighborhoods, such as the Lake Washington area.
5:15 p.m. Parrish Medical Center enacting its hurricane lockdown
Parrish Medical Center in Titusville has fully activated its Hurricane Milton emergency response protocols.
That includes a partial lockdown of the hospital, beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Public access to the hospital will be limited to persons requiring emergency medical attention. General visitation will not be permitted after 6 p.m. Wednesday.
However, hospitalized patients are permitted one person to remain with them until the storm event is cleared. Arrangements already have been made with hospitalized patients and their loved ones.
The partial lockdown status will remain in effect until further notice.
When wind speeds reach tropical-storm strength, the hospital will initiate a full lockdown, which means all entrances into the hospital will be locked to prevent potential wind damage and/or injuries.
Persons experiencing medical emergencies (potential loss of life or limb emergencies) who do not arrive via ambulance will be directed to the appropriate entrance to ensure prompt and safe entry.
—Dave Berman
4:50 p.m. Causeways will not close before, during Hurricane Milton
Brevard County officials say one of the most frequent questions they get when a hurricane like Hurricane Milton or tropical storm is approaching is: Will the causeways close during the storm?
In short, the answer in no.
According to Brevard County Emergency Management, causeways remain open before and during the storm. But when strong winds are in the area, staying off roads and causeways is best for your safety.
The only time the causeways will close is after a storm, so officials can visually inspect the bridges for structural damage.
–Dave Berman
4:10 p.m. Hurricane Milton showing signs of speeding up
Dr. Ryan Truchelut, of Tallahassee-based WeatherTiger, is tracking category 4 Hurricane Milton and he said the latest indications were that Milton was speeding up about a mile per hour.
He said he’d be watching how that changes the projected landfall track.
3 p.m.: Patrick Space Force Base, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station prepare for winds reaching close to 60 mph
Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are now in Hurricane Condition I, meaning surface winds more than 58 mph are expected in the next 12 hours.
“We expect winds over 35 knots (40 mph) around midnight and winds over 50 knots (58 mph) around 3 a.m. Thursday; they will persist until roughly 7 p.m.,” according to a press release. “When winds are at or above 50 knots (58 mph), all outside activity is strictly prohibited.
Non-essential base facilities are closed. A hurricane recovery team will perform damage assessments and recovery actions when conditions permit.
2:38 p.m.: Tornado warning issued for southwest portion of Brevard
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for southwest Brevard until 3:30 p.m.
At 2:20 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Blue Cypress Lake in Indian River County, moving north at 30 mph. Radar indicated rotation, the weather service said.
As Hurricane Milton approaches, one of the biggest threats to Central Florida will be tornadoes, federal forecasters warned.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center issued a Tornado Watch for portions of Central and South Florida Coastal Waters, effective Wednesday morning from 8:15 a.m. until 9 p.m.
— Jim Waymer
2:15 p.m.: Waffle House restaurants in Brevard are closed
Some people get their hurricane forecast from certified meteorologists.
Others, look to the “Waffle House Index.” The informal storm-gauging tool determines the severity of a storm and the outcome of the affected area and gives it a color-coded status.
Here in Brevard – the index status is now red, as in doors are closed as of 2 p.m. Wednesday.
These are the Waffle House locations in Brevard that are closed.
- Store #475, 3565 Cheney Hwy., Titusville
- Store #1266 3665 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach
- Store #2351 4005 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne
- Store #806 1168 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay
Known for serving breakfast 365 days a year, day and night, the restaurant is viewed as a pillar of service in large storms, staying open as long as possible and if closed, one of the first to open back up.
— Amber Olesen
1:45 p.m.: Nearly 200 people fill Brevard’s shelters before Hurricane Milton
As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 178 people and 18 pets at Brevard’s Hurricane Milton shelters.
The three shelters opened Wednesday morning for those living in manufactured homes, mobile homes and flood-prone areas, along with people seeking safe shelter from dangerous wind and rain. Space Coast Area Transit will provide transportation to shelters for registered special-needs clients. To request transportation, call 2-1-1.
Shelters are located at:
- Walter Butler Community Center, 4201 N. Cocoa Blvd., Sharpes.
- Wickham Park Community Center, 2815 Leisure Way, Melbourne.
- South Mainland Community Center, 3700 Allen Ave., Micco.
— Rick Neale
12:58 p.m.: Orlando airports ceased operations
Orlando International Airport ceased commercial operations at 8 a.m. as Hurricane Milton continued churning eastward toward the Florida peninsula.
A few statistics from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority:
- Milton impacted 806 passenger flights today at MCO.
- The last passenger flight took off at 8:02 a.m., headed for Detroit, Michigan. The last cargo flight took off at 9:05 a.m.
Orlando Executive Airport ceased operations at 10 p.m. Tuesday.
“While no longer accepting commercial or private flights, the airports are not closed and will remain open to accept emergency aid and relief flights as necessary. Both airports will reopen as soon as possible based on damage assessment,” a GOAA press release said.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport will end commercial flight operations at 2 p.m., with plans to reopen at 9 a.m. Friday.
— Rick Neale
12:40 p.m.: Health officials warn of dangers from Milton’s flood waters
The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County urged residents to be aware of the health risks of Vibrio vulnificus and other pathogens associated with flooding.
From now through Thursday evening, flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall remains possible, federal forecasters say. And flood waters can continue to rise even after the storm passes.
Vibrio vulnificus can cause infections in which the flesh around an open wound dies, prompting some to call it —misleadingly — “flesh-eating.” A more accurate description is “flesh-destroying.”
— Jim Waymer
11:13 a.m.: Hurricane Milton affecting high school sports in Brevard
Various high school sporting events have been canceled or rescheduled.
Check here for details.
— Chasite Banks
11:05 a.m.: State of Emergency issued for Melbourne ahead of Milton
Melbourne City Manager Jenni Lamb has issued an executive order declaring a state of local emergency in Melbourne for the next seven days because of expected impacts from Hurricane Milton.
Lamb said the order is based on Hurricane Milton’s “potential to create excessive rainfall, high tides, and gale-force or greater winds, which may pose a serious threat to public health and safety, and cause serious flooding, beach erosion and property damage within the city of Melbourne.”
Under, the order, Melbourne activates its emergency plans and operations to address impacts from Hurricane Milton.
Among other things, the local emergency declaration also allows the city to purchase equipment and supplies for its emergency response and recovery efforts without going through normal procurement procedures.
— Dave Berman
10:30 a.m.: FPL ready to deploy workforce, restore power once storm passes
Florida Power & Light Co. says it is deploying a workforce of 14,500 to help restore power after Hurricane Milton passes.
The utility said it has strategically pre-positioned its restoration workforce, equipment and supplies ― including mutual assistance from 37 states across the United States — throughout Florida.
“This storm will bring extended outages,” FPL President and CEO Armando Pimentel said in a statement released by the company. “That said, I want to assure our customers we are prepared and will be working around-the-clock to restore power.”
FPL said customers should “be ready for potential prolonged outages.”
— Dave Berman
9:35 a.m.: Forecaster: Eye of Hurricane Milton likely to go over Brevard County
Impacts of Hurricane Milton are already hitting Brevard County, and conditions will continue to deteriorate, including a chance of tornadoes.
Midday Thursday is when Milton is predicted to arrive in Brevard County. It’s highly likely the eye of the storm will pass over some portion of Brevard County, according to Jessie Schaper, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
“The center, right now, could be from New Smyrna Beach to Port St. Lucie, which puts Brevard right in the center,” Schaper said. “We are going to see track shifts between now and tomorrow. Folks shouldn’t focus where that dot is because it is going to change that’s why the entire county needs to be prepared for hurricane conditions.”
9:10 a.m.: Titusville Mayor concerned about flooding
Titusville Mayor Dan Diesel worries his North Brevard city of roughly 50,000 residents may see dangerous flooding from torrential rainfall and damages from howling hurricane-force winds along the northern portion of Milton’s eye, or central core.
“We’re saturated. Our city is saturated from the rain we’ve just had, and we’ve had a pretty wet season. There are places where there’s standing water in medians,” Diesel said.
Titusville City Hall officials activated an emergency command center at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the fire department headquarters.
— Rick Neale
8:40 a.m.: Trash/recycle services suspended for Brevard County
Bring in any trash, yard waste or recyclable items you may have taken to the curb for pickup.
All trash and recycling pickup has been suspended Wednesday and Thursday because of Hurricane Milton. If the items haven’t been picked up by this point, they will remain there during the storm and could become a hazard.
Brevard County is expected to get winds between 74 – 110 mph, and there’s a high chance for tornadoes. That mixed with loose items outside makes for a bad combination.
8:05 a.m.: Publix, Walmart, other grocery stores/restaurants closed Wednesday
Most grocery stores in Brevard County are closed Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival.
Closed: Publix, Aldi, Fresh Market, Winn Dixie, Walmart
Open: Target
Here are a list of restaurants we know about in Brevard County that are closed. If your restaurant will be open Wednesday or Thursday, email FLORIDA TODAY Food and Dining Reporter Amber Olesen at AOlesen@Floridatoday.com.
— Amber Olesen
7:55 a.m.: Are Walt Disney World, other theme parks open?
If you’re looking to get some theme park time in before Hurricane Milton., you better hurry.
Walt Disney World will be closing in phases Wednesday and will remain closed Thursday.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will close at 1 p.m. Wednesday
- Magic Kingdom park, EPCOT and Disney Springs will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Disney officials announced Disney Springs may open in the late afternoon Thursday with limited offerings.
Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will be open until 2 p.m. Wednesday, weather permitting. The parks will be closed Thursday.
Volcano Bay will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.
SeaWorld Orlando, as well as Aquatica and Discovery Cove, will be closed Thursday.
— Samantha Neely and Jennifer Sangalang
7:25 a.m.: Brevard at risk starting Wednesday night for flooding, major rainfall/winds, storm surge
Expect hurricane force winds to arrive in Melbourne on Wednesday night into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
Forecasters predict there will be an increase for storm surge, tornadoes and flooding.
- Flash flooding: 10 -15-plus inches of rain north of Milton’s center
- Storm surge, beach erosion: Expected along Brevard’s coastline. Storm surge estimated to be at least 3 feet.
- Winds: Damaging hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts between 74 – 110 mph.
- Tornadoes: Many are possible. The tornado threat will increase quickly this afternoon as rain bands reach the area.
Spitzer is a Trending Reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com.
John Gallas, Kim Luciani and Cheryl McCloud contributed to this report.
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