Hurricane Milton Tracks Slightly South, Intensifies; Some Evacuations in Palm Beach County

Only premium fuel remains at a gas station in Deerfield Beach, FL, Oct. 8, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Hurricane Milton was forecast to track further south than previously expected Tuesday, prompting a hurricane watch to be issued north of Palm Beach County and a minimal number of evacuations within the county. Only a tropical storm warning was in effect for Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

Palm Beach County issued an evacuation order for residents in Zone A, which is shaded in red in the county’s mapping program. Those who live in the zone, as well as those who live in manufactured homes, homes with substandard construction or are located within severe flood-prone locations are urged to leave before the storm arrives.

There were few signs of the storm approaching; the ocean was calm and flat, and swimmers and surfers were at local beaches despite the cloudy conditions and occasional showers. Supermarkets were busy, though not chaotic, and some gas stations had run out of regular fuel and were only offering premium grade.

Wind speeds were minimal and temperatures were in the low 80s. Meanwhile, a U.S. Air Force Reserve “hurricane hunter” aircraft found the storm had maintained its strength, prompting the National Hurricane Center to calculate the storm’s wind speed at 165 m.p.h. as it moves east-northeast at 9 m.p.h. The storm has tracked slightly farther south, suggesting the storm’s impact on South Florida will be heightened compared to previous forecasts.

As of 12 noon Tuesday, all county and state intracoastal bridges have been locked in the down position. Bridges will be closed to marine traffic, but open to vehicular traffic.

The latest update from the National Hurricane Center at the time of publishing shows the storm making landfall about 1 a.m. Thursday in the Bradenton area.

A view of Hurricane Milton from the International Space Station, Oct. 8, 2024. (Photo: NASA/Johnson Space Center)

“Heavy rainfall leading to possible flooding is expected across South Florida through Thursday,” a local statement from the National Weather Service office in Miami said. “One to 3 inches of additional rainfall is possible through this time period with highest totals across coastal Southwest Florida. Isolated locations could experience up to 6 inches with the heavier rain. A Flood Watch is in effect for the entire area through Thursday morning.”

Winds are forecast to remain within tropical storm strength in Palm Beach County southward on the Atlantic coast, though Martin County could face hurricane force winds due to the storm’s tick south. Winds in the Boca Raton area were forecast to be sustained between 30-40 m.p.h. with gusts reaching 50-60 m.p.h.

Storm surge is not expected to have major impacts in the local area, and no watches or warnings have been posted.

In Boca Raton:

• City offices and facilities will be closing at 12 noon, Wednesday, Oct. 9 and will be closed all day Thursday, Oct. 10.
• City beaches and golf courses (Red Reef Golf Course and Boca Raton Golf & Racquet Club), as well as all City beach parks, will be closed all day Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.
• Palm Beach County will be opening five general population shelters, the pet-friendly shelter and the Special Needs Shelter on Wednesday. Visit their website for details.
• Buffalo Bash at Mizner Park Amphitheater is postponed until Friday, Oct. 25.
• Sanitation customers serviced by the City of Boca Raton have a schedule change due to the approaching storm. There will be NO sanitation service on Thursday, Oct. 9.
• Thursday normal service will be picked up between Friday and Saturday.
• Friday service will happen as scheduled.