Spared a direct hit from a storm of historical proportions, South Florida began experiencing the effects of Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, with the storm whipping up waves, stirring up wind and creating strong currents at inlets and waterways.
The storm was poised to make landfall in the Bradenton area the evening of Oct. 9, bringing with it 120 m.p.h. winds and a storm surge of 10 feet or more. Locally, the breadth of the effects were yet to be seen, however the surf zone became increasingly rough as the day went on and the storm approached, with onlookers flocking to viewing points up and down the coast in Palm Beach and Broward counties.
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Boca Raton closed its oceanfront access points – mostly within parks – and shut down municipal offices. A tropical storm warning remained in effect, as well as a tornado watch, but no hurricane watches or warnings were issued.
With the storm having tracked slightly north compared to previous forecasts, the National Weather Service proportionately lowered its wind and rainfall predictions for South Florida. The peak wind forecast, as of 7 p.m. Wednesday, called for 25-35 m.p.h. sustained winds with gusts to 50 m.p.h.
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
“The wind threat has decreased from the previous assessment,” a statement from the NWS office in Miami said. “There is little to no threat of storm surge flooding. Rough surf, coastal erosion, and life-threatening rip currents are possible.”
While the threat of devastating weather has lessened somewhat locally, the NWS continued to warn that conditions were “very favorable” for tornadoes during periods of time when thunderstorms move through.
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Wind and rough surf whipped up by Hurricane Milton move into Palm Beach and Broward counties in South Florida, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
“Tropical storm force winds are expected across … South Florida, including the Atlantic coast and adjacent Atlantic waters, especially in conjunction with Milton`s rainbands,” the statement said. “The peak of the winds will generally occur Wednesday night into Thursday.”
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