Hurricane Milton Advisory: Category 3 Storm Nears Florida - Updated Alerts and Safety Information
Stay informed on Hurricane Milton's path, updated warnings, and essential safety tips for Palm Bay residents.
October 9, 2024 - 5:30 PM EDT - Palm Bay, FL
Current Status and Weather Alerts
Hurricane Milton is a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph.
It is located about 60 miles west-southwest of Sarasota, Florida, and is moving northeast at 17 mph.
Brevard County remains under a Hurricane Warning, with hurricane conditions expected to begin this evening.
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect from Sebastian Inlet, Florida, to Altamaha Sound, Georgia, including the St. Johns River.
Flash Flood Warning until 7:00 PM for Brevard County and surrounding areas, as thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall have already dropped 2 to 4 inches of rain, with additional amounts of 2 to 4 inches expected.
Updated Forecast: Sustained winds in Palm Bay are expected to range from 13 to 31 mph, with gusts reaching between 28 and 60 mph.
Expected Impacts
Storm Surge: The area could experience storm surge heights of 3 to 5 feet above ground level, particularly in low-lying coastal areas.
Rainfall: Rainfall amounts are projected to be between 6 to 12 inches, with localized totals up to 18 inches. This poses a significant risk of catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and urban flooding.
Wind: Hurricane-force winds are expected this evening through Thursday morning. Tropical storm conditions are occurring along the Florida west coast and will spread across the peninsula, reaching the east coast by tonight.
Tornadoes: Several tornadoes, including potentially strong tornadoes, are likely across parts of central and southern Florida this afternoon and tonight.
State of Emergency and Preparations
A State of Emergency remains in effect for Brevard County. Residents should continue to follow evacuation orders and take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising waters and other dangerous conditions.
Palm Bay PD has urged residents to stay off the roads, especially at night, due to the danger of standing water and limited visibility during darkness. Winds are also expected to reach a strength that may prevent emergency vehicles from traveling.
Traffic Signal Guidance: If you encounter a non-functioning traffic signal, remember to treat intersections with no signal as a four-way stop. If the signal is flashing red, treat it as a stop sign; if it's flashing yellow, proceed with caution.
Shelter Information
Shelters are open throughout Brevard County, including the South Mainland Community Center, Walter Butler Community Center, and Wickham Park Community Center. Space Coast Area Transit is available to assist registered special needs clients—call 2-1-1 for more details. Shelters are pet-friendly, and residents are advised to bring bedding, food for special diets, and personal supplies.
Emergency Contacts
Emergency or Life Safety Issues: Dial 9-1-1
Community Information Hotline: Dial 2-1-1
Brevard County Sheriff (Non-Emergency) South Area: (321) 952-6371
Florida Power and Light (Report an Outage): (800) 468-8243
State Assistance Information Line: (800) 342-3557
Additional Resources
Residents are urged to stay informed through local news outlets and official channels like AlertBrevard for real-time updates. For detailed forecasts and graphics, visit the National Hurricane Center's website.
Community Reminder
This is a serious situation for Palm Bay and the broader central Florida region. Residents are urged to take precautions, stay informed, and seek shelter if necessary. The Palm Bayer will continue providing updates as Hurricane Milton progresses.
Stay safe, Palm Bay. We're all in this together.
For more information on Palm Bay news & events, visit The Palm Bayer.