Live updates on Milton as powerful hurricane nears landfall in Florida

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Above: Watch WESH 2’s continuous live coverage of MiltonHurricane Milton, currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to make landfall in Florida soon before making its way across the state. > Track Milton >> Bookmark this page to watch all press conferences and read updates from officials on Milton. All times are in EST.LIVE UPDATES:> 7:14 p.m.: Gov. DeSantis will provide an update at 7:30 from Tallahassee as Hurricane Milton nears Florida’s coast.> 6:50 p.m. Flagler County officials sharing updates. Watch below: > 6 p.m.: Tornado forms on live TV> 5:30 p.m.: Biden on Milton response | Watch below: > 5 p.m.: Milton approaching Florida’s coast with 120 mph winds in latest update> 4:45 p.m.: Video shows truck spinning out of control on Florida highway as Milton begins to lash the state> 4:30 p.m.: Tornado warnings continue to pop up across Florida. More than 40 warnings issued across the state WednesdayKeep up with tornado warnings here.> 4 p.m.: Volusia County leaders are sharing up update. Watch below: > 3:30 p.m.: Orange, Brevard, Osceola counties under tornado warning> 3:30 p.m.: Sumter County Fairgrounds shelter hits capacityResidents in that area are advised to go to Webster Elementary School at 349 S. Market St., Webster. Other open shelters include: South Sumter High School, 706 N. Main St., Bushnell, FL 33513.Special Needs Shelter at the Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Rd, Wildwood. Center Hill Community Center, 74 S. Virginia Ave., Center Hill.The Oxford Assembly of God, 12114 US-301, Oxford is a privately run shelter that is open to the public> 2:45 p.m.: Orange County leader will hold a news conference at 3 p.m. as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton.You can watch the news conference by clicking the link below.> 2 p.m.: A tornado warning was issued for Osceola and Brevard counties until 4 p.m.> 1:30 p.m.: Ron DeSantis gives last-minute safety tips as Milton’s impacts begin to ramp up in FloridaYou’ll be able to watch the full conference, including updates on power outages, soon.> 1 p.m.: Tornado watch spreads to Brevard, Lake, Orange, Seminole and Volusia countiesThe advisory is set to expire at 9 p.m. tonight. Keep up with all alerts here.> 12:43 p.m.: DeSantis to squeeze in another press conference ahead of Milton’s landfallThe governor is expected to begin speaking at 1 p.m. WESH 2 will stream in the player above.> 11 a.m.: NHC says Milton’s wind speeds are dropping, but system still remains Cat. 4In addition, the NHC said “tornadic supercells” were spreading around southern portions of the state.> 10:44 a.m.: Flood advisories issued for many Central Florida counties as Milton threatens to drench already saturated groundA flash flood warning is active in Flagler County until 4:45 p.m. and a flood warning is active in Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Volusia counties until 12:15 a.m.You can keep up with all active weather alerts by clicking here. > 10:08 a.m.: National Weather Service posts video on X that shows tornado touching down and crossing Interstate-75Tornado warnings were issued for Broward and Palm Beach counties until 10:15 a.m.> 10 a.m.: DeSantis gives last minute update as Milton sits less than 300 miles off Florida’s coastThe full conference is available to watch in the player below.> 8:23 a.m.: Tornado watch issued for Polk County and Osceola County until 9 p.m. > 8 a.m.: Milton dips to Cat 4 strength but still boasts winds of 155 mph in latest NHC advisoryThe NHC said preparations, including evacuations if told to do so, should be rushed to completion this morning.> 5:40 a.m.: More county officials squeezing in updates before Milton’s projected landfall tonightFlagler County officials are expected to speak at 8:30 a.m. and Brevard County officials are expected to speak at 10:30 a.m. Both conferences will be available to watch in this article once they are complete.> 5:30 a.m.: Ron DeSantis is expected to speak from Tallahassee this morningJoined by a crowd of state officials, DeSantis is expected to give an update on the state’s last minute preparations for Milton’s arrival as a major hurricane The governor is expected to begin speaking from the Emergency Operations Center ay 9:30 a.m. You’ll be able to watch the full address live in the player above.> 5 a.m.: NHC says Milton still has 160 mph winds, lower pressure in latest advisoryWhile officials once said they expected Milton to make landfall as a Category 3 storm, new data suggest landfall at Category 4 intensity.> 2 a.m..: Hurricane Milton holds 160 mph winds, conditions expected to deteriorate this afternoonAccording to the NHC’s latest advisory, Milton is still a massive Category 5 storm.TUESDAY > 9 p.m.: Milton’s speeds drop slightly to 160 mph, remains Cat 5> 8 p.m.: Hurricane Milton remains a Category 5 storm; models push slightly south – again, according to the NHC.> 7 p.m.: Cape Canaveral Hospital evacuatedHealth First has made the decision to temporarily close Cape Canaveral Hospital for the safety and security of our associates and patients.Cape Canaveral Hospital is a 150-bed hospital on the Cocoa Beach Causeway, situated on the Banana River.Patients will be transferred to our other hospitals – Holmes Regional Medical Center, Palm Bay Hospital, and Viera Hospital.> 6:20 p.m.: Orange County leaders urge residents to finish hurricane preparations by Tuesday night.> 5 p.m.: Hurricane Milton is back to Category 5 status, but it shifts slightly south, NHC says.> 4:30 p.m.: Volusia County officials finish providing updates on Hurricane Milton after expanding evacuation orders.Watch the full news conference below.> 3:40 p.m.: Gov. DeSantis said this is the “largest national guard mobilization in advance of a storm in Florida history” during a news conference from Ocala.Watch the full address below.> 2:40 p.m.: Seminole County officials shared emergency safety facilities to assist residents ahead of Hurricane Milton.Watch the update from Seminole County officials below.> 2 p.m.: Hurricane Hunters fly into intense Cat 4 Hurricane Milton.Watch the video below.> 12 p.m.: Officials from many Central Florida counties address their residents, give updates on powerful Hurricane MiltonWatch updates from Polk, Lake and Brevard County officials below.> 11:15 a.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to speak from Ocala at 3 p.m.DeSantis will be joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue. Officials are expected to begin speaking at 3 p.m. You can watch the press conference live in the player above.> 11:10 a.m.: Osceola County officials finish giving update on Hurricane Milton preps ahead of anticipated impacts.According to officials, residents should wrap up their storm preparations by tonight. Impacts will gradually get worse on Wednesday.Officials also said they were opening a few emergency shelters around the county. To see a full list of shelters opening around Central Florida, click here.You can watch the full press conference in the player below.> 11 a.m.: Milton gets slightly stronger, expected to “expand in size” as it zeroes in on FloridaAfter weakening slightly in the 8 a.m. advisory, the NHC says wind speeds are picking back up. It’s possible for Milton to become a Category 5 storm once again today.> 10:00 a.m.: As Milton draws closer to state, many county officials are expected to give updates throughout the morning and into the afternoonOsceola County and Brevard County officials are expected to speak at 10:30 a.m., Lake County officials are expected to speak at 11 a.m., Seminole County officials are expected to speak at 2 p.m., Flagler County officials are expected to speak at 3 p.m. and Volusia County officials are expected to speak at 4 p.m.Due to timing conflicts, some press conferences will be streamed live in the player above while others will be embedded here after they are complete.All press conferences will be available to watch here later.> 8:45 a.m.: Ron DeSantis finishes address from Tallahassee, talks about the danger Milton poses to Florida, especially on the west coastWith Hurricane Milton closing in on Florida’s coast, the governor and other state officials warned everyone to finish all their storm preparations today, especially if that includes evacuating. Traffic is starting to build up on the highways, but officials say if you are ordered to evacuate, you need to do so.DeSantis said Milton not only poses major threats to the Tampa area and beyond, but could go down as a storm with as much relevance as Andrew or Charley.You can watch the governor’s full address in the player below.> 8 a.m.: Hurricane warnings now stretch across every Central Florida county after update from NHCHurricane conditions are expected in these areas in the next 36 hours.> 6:30 a.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to speak from the State Emergency Operations Center in TallahasseeAccording to a release from the governor’s office, DeSantis and many other state officials are expected to address Florida at 7:45 a.m.> 5:15 a.m.: Officials say there is a growing threat for flash flooding in Central Florida, especially in the metro area.According to current models, these dangerous conditions are “expected” tomorrow.You can keep up with all advisories and severe weather threats in Central Florida by clicking here.> 5 a.m.: Milton’s winds hold at 155 mph, NHC says storm will “remain extremely dangerous” through landfall.Based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a slight increase in wind speeds would make Milton a Cat. 5 system once again> 2 a.m.: Milton downgraded to Cat 4 storm with 155 mph windsMONDAY> 11 p.m.: Milton’s winds drop from 180 mph to 165 mph in latest update> 9 p.m.: Models show a slight shift to the south> 8:30 p.m. More than 1 million people are expected to lose power in Florida when Milton slams state> 8 p.m.: Pressure in Hurricane Milton’s eye falls to near-record low> 7 p.m. Treasure Island still cleaning up from Helene ahead of Milton> 5:30 p.m.: Seminole County Emergency Operations Center shares update> 5 p.m.: Milton’s winds increase to 180 mph> 4:15 p.m.: Orange County leaders share updates> 3:45 p.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis holds news conference on Milton> 3:40 p.m.: Brightline will suspend operations between West Palm Beach and Orlando on Wednesday and Thursday> 2:30 p.m. Widespread power outages possible across Central Florida> 2:15 p.m.: Brevard County officials share update> 2 p.m.: Winds in Milton increase to 175 mph> 1:15 p.m.: Incredible rapid intensification continues. Pressure down to 914 mb. Winds will be now higher than 16o mph after Hurricane Hunters fly storm> 12:10 p.m.: Many county officials are expected to speak soon as tracks show major impacts from Milton in Central Florida.Seminole County officials are expected to speak at 3 p.m. and Orange County officials are expected to speak at 4 p.m. You’ll be able to watch them in the player above.> 12 p.m.: Hurricane Milton reaches Category 5 strength with wind speeds of 160 mph> 11:45 a.m.: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is expected to update the city on preparations ahead of Hurricane MiltonThe conference is expected to begin at 1:30 p.m. WESH 2 will stream in the player above.> 11:35 a.m.: Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) announces schools will be closed soon for Hurricane MiltonOrange County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10 due to Milton. After school activities are canceled on Tuesday afternoon, except for after-school childcare.A decision has not been made about operations on Friday.For a full list of school closures, click here.> 11 a.m.: Hurricane Milton on the verge of Category 5 strength, tropical advisories extend in Central FloridaWith maximum sustained wind speeds of 155 mph, Milton is 1 mph away from being upgraded to a Category 5 storm. Hurricane watches extended into most of the metro area with this advisory.> 10:37 a.m.: Flood watch posted for every Central Florida countyClick here to keep up with all active alerts, see county-by-county impacts as Milton draws closer> 10:30 a.m.: DeSantis and other officials end address from Emergency Management CenterThe governor, Guthrie and Perdue gave the state important updates on Milton right after the storm hit Category 4 status.According to officials, tolls in Central Florida are suspended beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. Additionally, the governor said evacuation orders would likely be issued for counties along Florida’s west coast beginning today. If your county is placed under evacuation orders, the governor says you should follow that direction as soon as possible.Officials also touched on recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, the monster Category 4 storm that slammed Florida’s Big Bend region and created devastating storm surge in west Florida less than two weeks ago. According to DeSantis, debris removal efforts are being rushed to completion as the state prepares for another hit from a major hurricane.The full conference is available to watch in the player below.> 9 a.m.: Hurricane Milton roars to Category 4 strength with winds of 150 mph, NHC says in special advisoryBased on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, Milton is just short of a monster Category 5 storm.> 8 a.m.: Sandbag sites around Central Florida are starting to open or will open soon.Click here to see where you can get sandbags in your county.> 7 a.m.: Milton upgraded to Category 3 storm in special advisory from the National Hurricane CenterHurricane Milton is rapidly intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico. Since the 5 a.m. advisory, the system dropped in pressure by nearly 20 mb and now has maximum sustained wind speeds of 120 mph.> 6 a.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to address the state ahead of Hurricane Milton landfallDeSantis will be joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue and Major General John D. Haas Adjutant General of Florida.The news conference is expected to begin at 9:30 a.m. from the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. WESH 2 will stream in the player above.> 5:30 a.m.: Tropical advisories issued for portions of Central Florida after Milton’s upgrade to Category 2 stormPolk and Sumter counties are now under a hurricane watch.