Photo: GIORGIO VIERA / AFP / Getty Images
Hurricane Milton was re-upgraded to a Category 5 storm on Tuesday (October 8), posing a significant threat to the west coast of Florida. The storm's exact path remains uncertain, but it is expected to begin affecting the region by Wednesday night.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Milton's structure began to change overnight, leading to an expansion of the storm's wind field. This expansion is expected to roughly double the size of the hurricane and tropical storm-force winds. Despite these changes, Milton is projected to weaken into a powerful Category 3 hurricane by the time it makes landfall.
Eastern Alachua County, which includes the University of Florida Gainesville campus, is currently under a Tropical Storm Watch. Western Alachua County is under a Tropical Storm Warning. The Gainesville area is expected to experience winds ranging between 58 and 73 mph, equivalent to a Tropical Storm, and receive 3 to 6 inches of rain, potentially leading to localized flooding.
In response to the impending storm, the University of Florida announced it would close its offices and cancel classes, including online classes, from Wednesday, October 9, through Thursday, October 10. UF Health hospitals and clinical practices will continue normal operations in Alachua County, but operating hours of units throughout the state will vary.