Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton
Milton near peak intensity just north of the Yucatán Peninsula on October 7
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 5, 2024 (2024-10-05)
ExtratropicalOctober 10, 2024 (2024-10-10)
Category 5 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds180 mph (285 km/h)
Lowest pressure897 mbar (hPa); 26.49 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities17+
Injuries14+[a]
Areas affected
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Milton was an extremely powerful Atlantic hurricane which became the second-most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded over the Gulf of Mexico, behind only Hurricane Rita in 2005. Milton made landfall in the U.S. state of Florida, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the state's Big Bend region.[1] The thirteenth named storm, ninth hurricane, fourth major hurricane, and second Category 5 hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Milton was the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide in 2024 so far.

Milton formed from a long-tracked tropical disturbance that originated in the western Caribbean Sea and consolidated in the Bay of Campeche on October 5, 2024. Two days later, the storm underwent explosive intensification and became a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 180 mph (285 km/h). At peak intensity, it had a pressure of 897 millibars (26.49 inHg), making it the fifth-most intense Atlantic on record.[2] Milton weakened to Category 4 after an eyewall replacement cycle, then reintensified to Category 5.[3][4] Increasing wind shear caused the hurricane to weaken as it turned northeast towards Florida, falling to Category 3 before making landfall near Siesta Key during the evening on October 9, 2024.[5][6]

Ahead of the hurricane, Florida declared a state of emergency in which many coastal residents were ordered to evacuate. Preparations were also undertaken in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The hurricane caused a tornado outbreak and widespread flooding in Florida. As of October 10, 2024, Hurricane Milton had killed at least 17 people: 16 in the United States and one in Mexico.


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  1. ^ Chinchar, Allison (October 5, 2024). "Less than 10 days after Helene made landfall in Florida, the state is bracing for another hurricane". CNN. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fifth most intense was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Hurricane Milton live updates: Monster storm re-intensifies to Category 5 as Florida braces for direct hit". NBC News. October 8, 2024. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Czachor, Emily Mae (October 9, 2024). "Hurricane Milton dips to Category 3 as it heads for Florida landfall - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "Hurricane Milton Makes Landfall On Florida's West Coast". The Weather Channel. Retrieved October 10, 2024.