Weather
Hurricane Milton is now forecast to become an extremely dangerous Category 4 before landfall in Florida
Hurricane Milton has undergone rapid intensification, prompting concerns for coastal regions in Florida and Mexico.
Forecasters upgraded Milton from a tropical storm to a hurricane a day earlier than predicted, and it is now expected to strengthen to Category 4 within the next two days.
Currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico with sustained winds of 85 miles per hour, Milton is approximately 805 miles away from Tampa as of Sunday 5 PM ET.
The Mexican government has issued a hurricane watch for the north coast of the Yucatán peninsula, anticipating a storm surge of up to 4 feet.
Rainfall from Milton is expected to be significant, ranging from 5-8 inches across portions of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys through Wednesday night.
This rainfall could lead to flash flooding, urban flooding, and minor to moderate river flooding.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the Florida Peninsula starting Sunday morning. Additionally, a wave of moisture ahead of Milton will bring tropical downpours to the region beginning on Sunday.
While not a complete washout, localized areas could experience heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding.
Areas south of Interstate 4 are particularly vulnerable to significant rainfall due to a front sinking in from the north. Coastal regions should closely monitor weather forecasts and be prepared to receive flash flood warnings.
The anticipated rainfall from Sunday night to Wednesday is expected to range from 3 to 6 inches, with potentially higher totals in isolated areas.
HART COUNTY, KY – A woman Amy Philpott and her 7-year-old child, Charlotte Philpott, tragically lost their lives after their vehicle was swept away by flash flooding in the Bonnieville community of Hart County on Saturday night, authorities confirmed.
According to Hart County Coroner Tony Roberts, emergency responders from Campbellsville and Hart County were dispatched to Campground Road near Bacon Creek following reports of a water rescue.
Despite their best efforts, rising floodwaters and hazardous nighttime conditions forced crews to halt rescue operations before they could safely retrieve the victims and their vehicle.
Rescue teams recovered the child’s body from the submerged vehicle late Saturday night, but efforts to locate the mother had to be suspended until conditions improved.
On Sunday morning, search teams resumed recovery efforts and successfully retrieved the mother’s body later in the day.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Louisville reported that the tragic incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, when the victims’ vehicle was overtaken by rapidly rising floodwaters.
The devastating floods have wreaked havoc across Kentucky, triggering over 1,000 rescues as emergency teams race to assist those stranded by rising waters.
At least eight fatalities have been confirmed so far, with officials warning that the death toll may rise as search-and-rescue efforts continue.
“This is one of the most serious weather events we’ve dealt with in at least a decade,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated on Sunday.
Victims have been reported in Hart, Pike, and Clay counties, with many fatalities involving vehicles caught in floodwaters. Gov. Beshear urged residents to avoid driving in flooded areas to prevent further loss of life.
In Clay County, officials confirmed that a 73-year-old man was found dead in floodwaters, according to Revelle Berry, Deputy Director of County Emergency Management.
Widespread Impact Across the State
- Nearly 40,000 residents remain without power.
- 9,800 service connections are currently without water.
- 26,000 residents are under a boil-water advisory.
- Pike County School District announced indefinite school closures due to the disaster.
On Sunday, Gov. Beshear announced that President Donald Trump had approved his request for federal disaster relief funding to assist impacted communities.
Parts of Kentucky and Tennessee were inundated with up to six inches of rainfall over the weekend, according to Bob Oravec, senior forecaster at the National Weather Service.
“The effects will continue for a while—a lot of swollen streams and a lot of flooding still happening,” Oravec warned. “Even when the rain stops, floodwaters can linger for much longer.”
In addition to the devastation in Kentucky, officials confirmed that a levee in Rives, Tennessee, failed Saturday afternoon, flooding nearby neighborhoods. The extent of the impact remains unclear, and authorities are continuing to assess the damage.
Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious, avoid flooded roads, and follow local emergency guidelines as rescue and recovery efforts continue.