Photo: Beall, Clinton (uploader)
Hurricane Milton is speeding up a bit as far as timing for when it comes ashore on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It is now expected to make landfall as a Category 3 Hurricane with top sustained winds of between 120 and 125 mph around 10 p.m. It's also inched south a bit, with landfall to the south of Sarasota. But keep in mind that anywhere within the cone is possible, between St. Pete Beach and just to the west of Punta Gorda.
A hurricane warning is in effect from the Martin/St. Lucie County line north along Florida’s east coast. A tropical storm warning is in place from the Martin/St. Lucie County line south through all of Southeastern Florida. A Flood Watch remains in effect for Treasure Coast counties, but was canceled for Palm Beach County.
The entire area, Palm Beach and all of the Treasure Coast, is under a Tornado Watch until 9 p.m. tonight. That means conditions are ripe for the type of storms that can create torandoes. There have been a number of tornado warnings in southwestern Palm Beach County this morning and later into western sections of the Treasure Coast.
An evacuation order is in place in Palm Beach County’s Zone A which includes residents living in manufactured homes, or other vulnerable structures and areas prone to flooding including eastern communities.
A precautionary boil water order has been issued for Okeechobee County.
In advance of Milton’s impact Governor DeSantis has suspended tolls throughout much of the state, including on all western and central Florida toll roads, though not in South Florida where the impacts of the storm are expected to be minor. Alligator Alley remains the lone roadway with suspended tolls for the duration of this event.
Martin, Indian River and St. Lucie County Schools will remain closed through Friday. Okeechobee County school officials are monitoring the situation, but are closed at least through Thursday.
Brightline, Palm Tran and Tri-Rail is not offering service today or tomorrow.
Palm Beach International Airport will operate until 9pm tonight and will suspend all flights from that point until it’s determined to be safe to reopen.
The Palm Beach County Emergency Operations center is currently operating at Level 2, or partial activation in advance of Milton’s developments.
SHELTER INFO:
All Shelters are now Open across the area-
Palm Beach:
Palm Beach Gardens High School
Palm Beach Central High School
Forest Hill High School
Park Vista High School
Lake Shore Middle School
A pet friendly shelter is at West Boynton Recreation Center
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Indian River County
Oslo Middle School, Vero Beach.
Sebastian River Middle School.
Fellsmere Elementary School.
If a person lives in Indian River County and owns a pet, they can stay at the Freshman Learning Center, located at 1507 19th Street in Vero Beach. Those who are looking to stay at the learning center are asked to bring their pets current shot records, collar, leash, crate/carrier, litter box, food and water, medications, and bedding. If anyone has any additional questions they are asked to contact the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County at 772-388-3331 ext. 133.
Treasure Coast Elementary School will act as a special needs shelter, located at 8955 85th Street in Sebastian. To stay at this shelter citizens must be registered to stay in the shelter. Those who have questions are asked to contact 772-886-3900 or visit www.indianriver.gov.
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The shelters in St. Lucie County are the Fort Pierce Westwood Academy and Treasure Coast High Schools
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Martin County shelters:
Anderson Middle School, Stuart
Willoughby Learning Center, Stuart
Port Salerno Elementary School
Warfield Elementary School, Indiantown
The shelter at Anderson Middle School will act as a special needs shelter. The Willoughby Learning is pet friendly and will open to the general public. Port Salerno and Warfield Elementary School will also be for the general public.
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Okeechobee:
The special needs shelter will be at the Department of Health building, at 1700 NW 9th Avenue.
The general population - and their pets - will be welcomed at South Elementary School, at 2468 SW 7th Avenue. Pets must be registered with the county and owners must provide a crate, up-to-date shot records, food for at least 3-5 days, water for the animal, and a litter box for cats. On-site registration is available, for a $5 fee.
Okeechobee County has also set up a community emergency line at 863-824-6888 and will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.