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Is Florida your fall break destination? Hurricane Milton could affect your vacation plans

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Is Florida your fall break destination? Hurricane Milton could affect your vacation plans

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Florida is a popular travel destination that many Louisville parents might have planned for the fall break, but Hurricane Milton could disrupt those plans.

While the fall break for many Louisville students has already passed, others still have some free days in the horizon. If parents were thinking of going to Florida, they might have to pivot to a staycation.

Hurricane Milton live updates: ‘Time is running out’ — Florida braces for monster

Here’s what to know about Hurricane Milton’s path and fall breaks:

How strong is Hurricane Milton?

Hurricane Milton has weakened slightly from a Category 5 storm to a Category 4 storm as of Tuesday morning, although forecasters warn the storm will remain “an extremely dangerous hurricane” through landfall in Florida.

Milton intensified from a Category 2 hurricane into a Category 5 storm within hours Monday, generating winds of 180 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. On Tuesday morning, the storm was located about 560 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds near 155 mph with higher gusts. Milton is expected to turn toward the east-northeast and northeast Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the hurricane center.

Where is Hurricane Milton?

Meteorologists said the storm is expected to move near or just north of the Yucatan Peninsula Tuesday before crossing the eastern Gulf of Mexico and nearing the west coast of Florida by Wednesday. Milton is forecast to make landfall in Florida Wednesday night, according to the NHC.

“Milton poses an extremely serious threat to Florida and residents are urged to follow the orders of local officials,” the hurricane center said in an advisory Tuesday morning.

Rainfall amounts of 5 to 12 inches, with localized totals up to 18 inches, are expected across central to northern portions of the Florida Peninsula through Thursday, the NHC said Tuesday morning. Milton is also forecast to bring rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches across the Florida Keys through Thursday.

Even ahead of Milton’s arrival, a potentially deadly storm surge of 10-15 feet is possible for Tampa and other coastal communities Tuesday through Wednesday night, according to the NHC.

Hurricane Milton path tracker: Storm weakens slightly to Category 4; still ‘extremely dangerous’

Hurricane Milton tracker

Hurricane Milton spaghetti models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.

When is fall break for JCPS students?

The 2024 fall break for Jefferson County Public School students was the first week of October, from Oct. 2-4.

When is fall break for Archdiocese of Louisville students?

The 2024 fall break for Archdiocese of Louisville students is from Oct. 11 to 14.

When is the fall break for Oldham County Schools students?

The 2024 fall break for Oldham County Schools students is from Oct. 21-25.

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