which is why they're so dedicated to ensuring that there never will be another macondo, that gulf of mexicoter that left 11 dead and spoiled a huge swath of the beach adjoining the gulf 14 years ago. now, last night's tesla conference call was full of the elon musk trademark bravado about electric vehicles. but musk is not al-seeing or all-knowing. years ago i met him at this dinner party and he was talking about how one day soon, soon all our energy would come from a giant solar field in some corner of colorado. oh, you could see all the heads nod, somehow this man figured out how to beat global warming i challenged musk around the table, saying that i thought it was unrealistic and that we have to deal with the utility and energy structure for years and years. did he deal with the question? no, he just went in a whole other direction. he attacked me saying there's about a 50% chance that i didn't exist, that i was nothing but a hologram in his imagination. it's been about a decade still no massive solar farm. no hologram. last night on his conference call musk talked about how the fossil

it is fuelled by the warm waters over the gulf of mexico. d today, last night when it hit, it doubled in size and cover the whole state of florida. most areas are seeing at least some effects from milton. it made landfall as a major category three, so we are talking winds in excess of 100 miles an hour. we have had 18 inches of rain in saint petersburg in tampa bay and thatis petersburg in tampa bay and that is very reflective. so catastrophic flooding potentially and even though the storm has now been crossing florida right the way eastwards, just to the south of orlando it has maintained category one status. it is massive and covers the whole state of florida and is bringing rain into georgia and carolina. we have seen major flooding with debbie and helene prior to that at the end of the summer. it will not be many more hours before it moves out into the atlantic. however, even once it moves out into the atlantic as a category one hurricane it has still got a lot of rain to give and it is still a hurricane, so there are still a hurricane, s

now, both of these storms were respond over the record. hot water is at the gulf of mexico. when signed to say, this was not by chance. they say it was the result of global warming. and they say this means that future storms are 500 times more likely to be bigger, stronger, and weather than anything we've seen in the past. i burned golf in berlin. this is the day the hurricane milton is going to be a deadly in catastrophic storm. we've never had and never have one just know that you get 10 feet of storm surge. uh you can't just conquer down with that. it may be a long recovery process. i'm my, that's my biggest fear. this is going to be a long, clean up. some of you might still be able to evacuate safely or others. it may be too late. also coming up with the nobel prize for chemistry, shared by a tree of scientists whose research could transform how new drugs are made through artificial intelligence. this prize represents the promise of computational biology . you know that we are really that we're going to use computers that we're gonna understand the disease that we're ulti

you're facing the gulf of mexico. i'm going in lands and yeah, they made it, they were obstacles. gas shortage is full charges, traffic jams, and so on. but a lot of people made it hopefully, thankfully and, and step on with less than a month to go until election day. hurricane milton this it is being politicized with rumors and miss information swirling is all over social media. what's being said, as well as to say, that's actually absolutely is clickable. this is unbelievable. what's going on here? how specific individuals i try to capitalize on what's going on. you see hurricanes, natural disasters, any kind of it is that they were not long ago, perhaps in the united states, a reason to unify right. but that is not happening anymore. here, there is politicians out there. namely donald trump, who's saying really lying to people saying that the fema is being strapped of cash and not able to actually help them because the hair is by ministration of biting their hair is, administration is diverting money, which is absol

a lot of people are very worried right now, 100 mph, 160 kilometre per hour hurricane, in the gulf of mexicoher gusts still. all of this expected to arrive on the west coast of florida wednesday night and early thursday. the only eption — night and early thursday. the only option for _ night and early thursday. the only option for people living only option for people living on the coast is to evacuate, surely. on the coast is to evacuate, surel . . �* , on the coast is to evacuate, surel. ., �*, ., surely. that's about right. one ofthe surely. that's about right. one of the big _ surely. that's about right. one of the big issues _ surely. that's about right. one of the big issues is _ surely. that's about right. one of the big issues is going - surely. that's about right. one of the big issues is going to . of the big issues is going to be coastal flooding and also their major power outage. a lot of the cruise that would repair the electric grid after a hurricane are up in north carolina because they are repairing the damage left by helene. and now with this system, it's expected to affect m

the gulf of mexico is different. very shallow for a long period of time that means the storm surge will carry itself one on top of the other and that's really where the danger comes. when you think north of you in tampa, they have not had a direct hit in 103 years, britta. >> even if we have landfall here in sarasota, tampa bay doesn't get an easy hand. this will -- to your point, this is the strongest storm we have seen in over 100 years. no one has seen what it looks like to throw ten feet of storm surge into this part of the gulf coast. to your point, the coastal shelf, the feature you're talking about for the gulf side of florida, you have a deep gulf of mexico and for hundreds of miles you have a coastal shelf. all that deep water piling on top of that shelf shoves into the coastline. one of the most vulnerable companies lines for storm surge. >> bill: thank you. we'll be with you throughout the day. >> dana: fox weather senior meteorologist january nice dean is tracking milton. >> that was a description of the s

right now was the state of wednesday, or is this in the southern part of the gulf of mexico? so you're going to have ways you're going to have a storm surge. you're going to have some rain, although the range also won't be overly high compared to what they saw, what the lead up there in north carolina and the hurricane helene, across the whole region, the south east killed a few 100 people. is milton going to be as dangerous? there's a possibility, i don't want to say that's a certainty, but uh if uh those that were in the significant areas that will see the highest surge of water as well as the strongest way of these did not. in fact, the way to leave those areas, their lives are definitely going to be something you will have to keep in mind and possibly be in jeopardy. as you heard our president say earlier. now we've heard the storm could we can, but it could also get bigger and cover more area. um, what's the latest on that intensity? and what does that mean for people in florida or so right now, the storm is roughly about 250 miles wide is expected at least double that m

you can imagine that if the gulf of mexico is like a vast up and the storm is a person in that bathtub. and since milton moved across the bathtub of the gulf of mexico, it's pushes the water over the edge. and so that's what storm surge really is. and unfortunately that's the west coast of florida. >> and so all of this wind that's blowing directly on shore, the momentum of the storm has pushed in several feet of storm surge. >> you can see probably at least he's the four feet, possibly up to five feet, but it's going to continue to push in as the storm moves onshore, the momentum carries out water. and so we're definitely going to see at least five feet. it could get much higher though. and that's why, why we're still waiting where we are here in venice and trying to make sure that we aren't trapped. we have to always have an exit plan, which we do. we have high ground just off to the south of where we are, but still a very dangerous situation with no even though it's moving onshore away from landfall, away from where we are the storm surge isn't saying that wind is going to continue

so we're seeing that activity continuing into october when you have those warm waters in the gulf of mexico. that is what helped to fuel the quick growth of the store. and we saw just go from a tropical storm early on the weekend. and so that cat 5 that was a 180 miles per hour. so we have a very warm gulf of mexico and we haven't had a strong track that exact track yet. even though the lien was nearby it, does you still have the waters on the stir? once you have a storm system go through, you have that um, well i of the cooler water from the bottom and then any other additional storms will not strengthen as much. but again, just kind of follow the last ice forming in september to the warmer waters. but again, this year it's been a lot more of robert or water temperature. yeah. and a lot warmer and the storms are long, stronger this year. that's for sure. meteorologist cindy o'quinn reporting from gainesville, florida. cindy, thank you. thank you. what's the north american scientists have won this year's nobel prize in physics. they were honored for their pioneering work on artificial intel

it underwent something called rapid intensification while it was in the gulf of mexico. oing so it smashed the scientific definition of that process. the national weather service defines rapid into the petition as a wind speed increase of about 35 miles per hour in a single day. with milton, the wind speed increased by more than 90 miles per hour in less than 24 hours. the storm exploded from a tropical storm to a 180 miles per hour category 5 hurricane in just over one day. milton and helene less than two weeks before it both formed frightening, destructive storms at breakneck speed. they both absorbed more than normal amounts of moisture causing were the normal amounts of rainfall and we know why this happened. the atlantic ocean, the gulf of mexico has been running a fever for years average ocean temperatures have reached record highs in the gulf of mexico is hot. not a scientific term is actually hot measuring around 88 degrees fahrenheit. that hot water is fuel to these storms. both milton and helene have exposed the fact we are in a new era of super destructive stor

but as it makes landfall, they will make5 landfall, they will switch to blowing from the gulf of mexicohe winds are already blowing on5hore, charlotte harbour, already 5ignificant flooding, including some of the same areas, fort myers beach, where there was significant flooding two years 5ignificant flooding two years ago with ian. i would expect the forecast of nine to 13 feet of storm surge. anna maria i5land of storm surge. anna maria island and south, to the edge of charlotte harbour, it will come to fruition unfortunately, and there's really no similar in living memory on this part of the florida coa5tline. additionally, while the maximum wind5 have declined from category five to category three 5trength, it is still bringing in a very intense wind5, 100 in a very intense wind5,100 mph, 5preading over we5t mph, 5preading over west central florida including tampa bay, which looks to avoid the worst of the surge, but they will get 5ignificant wind. the wind is going to continue over the tampa bay area and move inland acro55 the tampa bay area and move inland across central florida, 5p

the gulf of mexico is a record high _ energy? no doubt. of mexico is a record high right now— energy? no doubt. the gulf of mexico is a record high right now in _ energy? no doubt. the gulf of mexico is a record high right now in terms i is a record high right now in terms of ocean heat content and sea temperatures which are running about 1.8 celsius above the historical norm, and the historical norm is a 30 year normal that ended in 2020 so we are not talking about a historical norm from the 19th century, so that is how hot they are and the condition was made 400—700 times more likely because of climate change, according to climate central�*s climate central shift which allows us to quantify the impact of the change in climate on the warming seas and generally across the world many of the oceans are at record levels in terms of temperature and that is what is reading to not more hurricanes but just a greater proportion of hurricanes and typhoons are becoming category four and five catastrophic systems. category four and five catastrophic

united states draw graphic models of how giant waves are washing away houses on the coast of the gulf of mexico, political scientists are talking about the possible interference of bad weather in the presidential elections. our subcor. usa, valentin bogdanov. even on the video from space, which was filmed by our cosmonaut alexander grebenkin, hurricane milton looks terrifying. however, the giant white funnel over the gulf of mexico collected from the iss at least seems motionless, but here is what is happening in its center, where hurricane hunters have climbed on the american weather reconnaissance aircraft, miss piggy. everything is shaking in the cabin milton is rushing towards the coast of florida. at a speed of 210 km / h, the city of tampa is on its way, which will take the brunt of the elements. this simulation will show you what it will look like in tampa, at altitude. just look at this, the worst thing is that in some areas the water level can reach 3 to 5 m. milden has already been assigned the maximum fifth category, but meteorologists are afraid that they might have to introduce a y

you've got the storm surge coming in from the gulf of mexico as this hurricane continues on its track north. and then you've got all of the flooding. you've got all of the rain out by lake okeechobee and even central parts of florida. and so all of that water is coming in from the central part of florida and you've got all of that water what are coming in from the gulf of mexico? and when all of that comes together, this is what you're going to see this is how it's going to be for the next several hours. and we haven't even figured in a high tide yet, that's going to happen around 12 or 1:00 in the morning. so when all those three things happen it's gonna be a pretty ugly situation for the folks that live here in fort myers. and this is not going to get better over the next couple of hours. it's not going to get better until probably tomorrow morning. once high tide kind of loosens up a bit and some of this water starts to recede but i was here two years ago for hurricane ian. this has kind of what happened then. that was a direct landfall. this storm is north of us. and there are som

this is the newest producing facility, the deep water gulf of mexico a lot of technology break throughse, a lot of firsts the ingenuity of our industry on display. we're excited to show you that today and talk about the deep water gulf of mexico, which is a key part of u.s. energy security and economic competitiveness >> and at the same time, this is an electrified facility, low carbon emission. you think about these things >> some of the lowest carbon intensity oil production in the world. we'll produce here for three decades or more. >> elon musk has said that you might be on a horse and buggy in just a few years i don't know if he's accurate about that >> the world is -- we just passed 8 billion people on the planet demand for energy continues to grow we need all types of energy. we need all solutions. evs are great for the people they work for, but there's a lot of other uses for the products we produce we can reduce emissions. we can produce affordable, reliable energy, and contribute to american economic competitiveness and energy security >> i think it's important we speak about

this is the walkway you would take to go out to the gulf of mexico and it is completely cracked apart. we have infrastructure, piping the controls the outdoor shower completely exposed. photographer stephen giving a nice shot of the gulf of mexico where folks are taking a walk, getting in the water, trying to enjoy a little bit of peace. this is a tightknit community. they've been through it. they've been through and unfortunately now are going to see something even worse than helene. the peak storm surge in this area could be over 10 feet. hopefully we don't see it but we prepare for the worst case scenario and hope for the best. part of the problem here is we have debris piles back in the neighborhoods. beachfront all we have is condos, they don't have any debris pulled out because the storm surge, take about a block walk inland and we do. all of that debris is going to get caught up in the storm surge and slammed into the houses. the exterior is okay. the inside has been ripped apart from the storm water from helene at the outside faÇade is unscathed, that will change with milton.

five nearing the yucatan peninsula tomorrow morning, continuing across the warm waters of the gulf of mexicoches the west coast of florida, it is going to be a potentially devastating hurricane for the west coast of florida, eventually weakening once it crosses land there. but let's talk about the rainfall potential up to 15in is expected in isolated locations. you can see parts of the west coast near tampa, five inches or higher. they already have hurricane warnings, storm surge warnings, tropical storm warnings up for that region. and they are talking about a storm surge up to 15ft. so very dangerous situation. meanwhile, here we have a very different picture a live view from our sky star camera at fisherman's wharf. this is on the skystar wheel and you're still seeing a lot of blue sky. the fog is not here yet. we do have triple digits once again in our hottest inland valleys like fairfield, concord, 100, in santa rosa. right now we do have a few records coming in. we'll wait for the official word from the weather service. 93 in san jose. 85 oakland. 77 in san francisco. that heat advisor

then it's getting amplified by this spin of the sea right there, the gulf of mexico. probably been to clearwater, florida. clearwater, florida, gets its name because of the way the sediment settles because of the way the current spins through there. this current is going to help amplify this hurricane. it's even going to spin off tornadoes on the outer edge. this is a very, very big storm. the whole thing is driven by the heat of the ocean in the gulf of mexico. everybody has been talking about this literally for decades. here it's really happening so quickly. this warm water provides all this energy to these storms. the cool air -- the relatively cool air around drives it up. water vapor comes out of solution, it's rain, the heat is released at high altitude and this causes the spin. the spin of the earth causes the whole thing to go around. look, jose, when it comes to things like space exploration, i do my best to be political but not partisan. where do we apply our intellect and treasure? when we're on msnbc, i'm happy to be here, a big fan. we are talking to peop

have struggled for control of the region, so it's 1947 hurricane milton is swirling over the gulf of mexico. as a category 5 store, the strongest on the scale is prompted the evacuation of nearly 6000000 people as it approaches florida. tampa is, mayor has one, but anyone who remains with face death from the regions the 2nd hurricane in his many weeks. it looks like a goes down as communities on load, it does go schools shut down a head don't. how do you can milton? a heavy traffic was seen on the high b as thousands fled the part of the storm. that's after our tardies and residents to scramble to secure debris. scattered by how do you can hailey less than 2 weeks ago? see the devastation on the beach. if you turn around and sealed it for debris everywhere, it's worried about all these been solves. we've very scared. we don't know what to expect and we don't know when to come back home like that's the hard part. was fast preparing for around to, you know, try trying to salvage whatever very little is left and secure, whatever i can, the latest satellite images, fuel hardy can milton, headin

the strongest hurricane of the gulf of mexico in nearly 20 years. in florida a state of emergency.rm surge warnings up to 15 feet. the race to get out. mandatory evacuations. al roker has the new track for us tonight. it comes as florida and the southeast are still reeling from hurricane helene's blast just 11 days ago. thousands still without water. we're with the national guard on an urgent mission to deliver relief. >>> and in tennessee growing questions at a plastic factory where nearly a dozen workers were swept away. >>> also tonight, the solemn ceremonies as israel marks a year since the deadly hamas terror attack. >>> here in the u.s. the memorials for the victims and the hostages. and protests returning to campus as the deadly war expands to new fronts. >>> the race for the white house. with just 29 days to go kamala harris launching a media blitz. and donald trump under scrutiny after suggesting bad genes are to blame for migrants who commit murder. >>> and like father like son. lebron and bronny james taking the court together and making nba history. >> announcer: this i

at this point, milton developed in the western gulf of mexico and spent more than two days crossing thee to build up strength. it's one of the few atlantic hurricanes to reach category five strength. we can a little bit, then hit cat five strength on thursday afternoon — only two other hurricanes are known to have done that in modern times. and the corsets unfortunately also is almost perpendicular to the west coast. so bring it in any way that maximises the storm surge, slamming the areas between tampa, st. petersburg, and fort myers right now as we speak. so 'ust myers right now as we speak. so just how dangerous a storm is it then, bearing all that in mind? ~ . . ~ it then, bearing all that in mind? ~ . ., ~ ., mind? we are talking about the otential mind? we are talking about the potential here _ mind? we are talking about the potential here for _ mind? we are talking about the potential here for 5-10 - mind? we are talking about the potential here for 5-10 feet - mind? we are talking about the potential here for 5-10 feet of l potential here for 5—10 feet of water above ground leve

the storm is approaching from the gulf of mexico at category 5 strength, that's the maximum milton is expected to make a landfill on wednesday in the tampa bay area. campus mayor has warranty, but anyone choosing to stay behind is likely to be killed. while us president joe biden postponed a trip to germany and in goal that because of hurricane milton, he warrens that it could be one of the worst storms to hit florida in a century occurred practice to tampa bay area and cut directly across the state of east to west all way across the state with a potential for this storm to both enter florida is a hurricane and leave for it as a hurricane on the atlantic coast. this can be the worst storms as far as you know, over century. and god really, and it won't be, but as soon as looking like right. and if you're under evacuation or orders, you shouldn't evacuated now. now, now you should have already evacuated. it's a matter of life and it's a matter of life. and for more on that, let's spring, and dave nussbaum, chief meteorologist at cbs, $42.00 at tv station in birmingham, alabama. dave hur

as it moves east-northeastward across the southern gulf of mexico. ll be multiple life-threatening impacts across much of florida, we are expecting the sinner of milton to approach the west coast of the florida peninsula date tomorrow night and early thursday morning, bringing storm surge to much of the west coast of florida. the expansive risk of hurricane force winds and the potential for catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding. isolated area seeing as much as 18 inches of rain. geoff: how high are you thinking right now? >> if we zoom in and look at this area from pinellas county and the tampa bay area, manatee, down to sarasota, somewhere in this purple area we will expect to see 10-15 feet above round level, that's water up to maybe 2.5 times taller than i am. it's really a destructive, life-threatening storm surge and it is why people have been asked to leave the evacuation zones in these area. because it is such a big hurricane, even down to port charlotte and fort myers, well south of where the sinner crosses the coast. geoff: help us

extraordinary situation that is developing right now as hurricane milton category 4 churning in the gulf of mexico about to make its way into the gulf coast potentially a landfall near sarasota south of where i'm at in tampa. in the meantime the garrison channel that leads into the hillsborough and tampa bay out into the gulf of mexico. tampa is preparing now. mandatory evacuations in play all across this region and the barrier islands as the rain falls and winds continue to gust here this afternoon in tampa. those barrier islands, serious issues right now. they are expecting up to ten to 15 feet of storm surge. remember, less than two weeks ago hurricane helene ravaged that area bringing in five feet plus of storm surge pushing in sand and destroying structures, ripping out livelihoods. all those piles of debris still sit on the sides of many of those barrier islands. there wasn't enough time to move them because of mandatory evacuations as milton formed in the gulf of mexico. the wind field has expanded in a big way. many of the communities from naples and tampa will experience basically hurrica

. >> it is currently in the gulf of mexico. it is headed toward florida. with many parts of the southeast still picking up pieces after helene. cnn meteorologist elisa raffa is tracking this for us. this is exactly what people there do not need. alisa, what are you tracking? >> yeah, a lot of people in florida had devastating storm surge from helene. so we really don't need any more rain or any more storm surge for that matter. it's still a tropical storm, tropical storm milton. it's got 40 mile per hour winds still sitting in the western gulf of mexico, but it will continue to move itself into very favorable conditions for it to gain strength and gain strength rapidly as well. here's a look at that latest track. you can see it takes it's track all day monday and tuesday across the gulf of mexico. here's where we've got the numbers now up to a category three hurricane means that the winds at the center need to be at least 111mph. and we think that it could gain this strength pretty quickly because these ocean temperatures are incredibly incredibly warm, mi

building strength in the gulf of mexico as a race against time takes place all across florida. >> the storm is on track to deliver another direct hit. florida officials say they are preparing for what could be the largest evacuation since hurricane irma back in 2017. abc's alison kosik has more. >> crews now racing to clear the debris left behind by helene, while residents fill sandbags and stock up on supplies as hurricane milton approaches the sunshine state. the national hurricane center says milton will bring with it multiple life threatening hazards life threatening storm surge, inundation threat for that along much of the west coast. >> damaging hurricane force winds not just at the west coast, but potentially across the peninsula over to the east coast. >> milton is expected to strengthen as it travels over the gulf, forecast to make landfall along florida's west coast, potentially as a category three storm. >> we have a lot of people in florida already helping to support the response and the recovery from hurricane helene, so we're working with the state eoc to understand what

>> yeah, good afternoon from bradenton beach, white sands you see the gulf of mexico behind me and thatrricane milton is turning with a potential for catastrophic situations. but you see the debris field here is less than two weeks ago 5 feet of storage came in and let me just errors -- illustrate it, one, three, four and five it came we're ripping apart areas in his pocket of the sunshine state as lloyd offered will make his way across and you see the sand that got pushed all the way onto the street here, mandatory evacuations right now, robert. only people that are here our national guard and the sheriff's office patrolling. but look at the sand that got pushed and big vehicles move this to the side and pushed it up and you see -- look at the top of this ice cream shop that you're not supposed to be able to touch, they got a pylon holding up part of the building, all this from the surge in the ween from helene just two weeks ago and you look inside this ice cream shop. lloyd training his camera inside and you can see the chairs overturned in the mud and the smell of rotting dairy insi

of this thing. it's a huge storm in the gulf. it's basically takes up two thirds of the entire gulf of mexico in terms of just cloud, cloud shield. so just the amount of rain, the copious amount of rain that's going to come from this thing will be incredibly impressive. so that's a wednesday into thursday thing here are the temperatures, the records from today. again, we've had so many days in a row of record temperatures and here we go in again today. tomorrow. we shouldn't see any records. these were the highs. some more highs. these were not records or some were. and some weren't. but that's the texture of the day. hot, right? heat advisory got extended. they pushed it. it was supposed to end today, but they pushed it into today, which rightfully so. the low pressure is now sort of working its way in. it's up here. that's the main low. it's going to drop close. and as you know it's going to cool us down. bring a little fog back to the coast as well. temperatures will generally be 4 or 5 degrees cooler than they were today. so the upper 90s low one hundreds turn into mid 90s tomorrow. still very warm, but along the coast and at

the storm will continue to move across arq see across the gulf of mexico until it makes landfall. the latest data predicts a storm surge of up to 10 to 15 feet south of sarasota. localized areas in central north florida could also see up to 18 inches of rain, threatening catastrophic flooding. hurricane specialist john mireles, the longest tenured tv meteorologist in south florida and got choked up as he delivered the devastating report last night. >> it's just an incredible, incredible, credible hurricane. it has dropped, it has dropped 50 millibars in 10 hours. i apologize. this is just terrific. winds are sustained at 160 miles per hour. it is just gaining strength in the gulf of mexico, where you can imagine the winds, the seas are so incredibly, incredibly hot. record hot, as you might imagine. you know what's driving that. global warming, climate change leading to this and becoming an increasing threat. >> as he says, we know why this is happening. climate change is making the earth and especially the oceans hotter. the gulf of mexico has seen record warm water this year. we

currently over the gulf of mexico, the hurricane is expected to hit the coast of florida overnight localll then travel east across the state. 0n the western coast, this is the scene now — you can see the wind and rain have already picked up. a number of tornadoes have also appeared in the last few hours and there are warnings of flash flooding and possible storm surges too as water pushes in to coastal areas. those likely to be worst affected are marked here in purple, including around tampa, where it vould be 15 feet high. from space, this is what it looks like — as captured in these images filmed from the international space station. currently over the gulf of mexico, the hurricane is expected to hit the coast of florida overnight local time. it'll then travel east across the state. 0n the western coast, this is the scene now — you can see the wind and rain have already picked up. a number of tornadoes have also appeared in the last few hours and there are warnings of flash flooding and possible storm surges too as water pushes in to coastal areas. those likely to be worst affected are

so take what we have here with hurricane milton reaching this area of the gulf of mexico with the warmest of those above average ocean temperatures. so as we put this into motion, watch how this storm this time last night was just a category one hurricane. rapid intensification might take the storm to a category 2 or 3, but in this instance, jumping up to a category five, which would be sustained winds of 157mph. again, that's just a 24 hour cycle. and that has big impacts. so the cause, those warmer than average ocean temperatures, warmer air temperatures, that's like steroids for a storm like this, that takes full advantage of that and powers up a strong category five, as you mentioned, with sustained winds now of 180mph there in the central gulf. now, florida just had to deal with helene not too long ago. now they're bracing for this. i know it's expected to hit sometime wednesday. how strong is it likely to be? will it still be a category five or will things change? it looks like in terms of sustained winds that may fluctuate a little bit on landfall, but the storm surge expected to b

debris we can get picked up, the less damage is going to happen whether it is floating into the gulf of mexico, whether it is projectiles that go into other buildings. we have hundreds of state search and rescue personnel. a total of 26 teams embedded in potential impact states -- impact sites along the west coast to be an immediate rescue operations as soon the storm passes should the need arise. hopefully there is not a need for a lot of rescues but those personnel will be there if they need. we have 5000 national guard letter on duty to that will -- national guard that are on duty. that will expand to 8000 very soon. we have a total of 34 search-and-rescue aircraft. we have got a lot of support from other states and we thank them for that. we have 400 50 tactical vehicles including 140 high wheeled vehicles. area water and brown national guard air and rescue teams. this is the largest national guard mobilization in advance of a storm in florida history. we also have the florida state guard, 10 maritime crews, three hi what are you tv's, two u 860 blackhawks, four drone teams, two amphibious

we have to keep in mind we have a new storm the gulf of mexico, that is milton. thankfully we are not in the direct path of the here. eric: hopefully milton will not affect their likely. brandy, thank you. another storm is forming in the gulf of mexico. it looks like it will hit florida this week. meteorologist adam klotz is tracking tropical storm milton and that whether it center right now. how's it looking? >> is not looking like it's going to be a good start for florida. may be the most powerful we will see the entire season. here's the set up currently there's arty rain currently falling across florida. this is not associated with it is going to prime it. it's been so wet over the last season really over the summer to the spring the western coast of florida is way over on their totals it's raining right now so when the storm hits all this additional rain will have nowhere to go so flooding is going to be a major concern. milton is 65 manner when sittig off the coast of mexico. moving to the east/southeast is really hardly moving at this point we are expecting

we've also got our eyes tonight on the absolutely massive new ol hurricane in the gulf of mexico that is heading right now toward the yucatan peninsula in mexico before it heads here toward the state of florida. it's hurricane milton. it is a category 5 hurricane. it is, in fact, one of the top five strongest atlantic hurricanes in recorded history. you might have seen this today.a an emotional report from the nbc miami meteorologist and hurricane specialist, john morales. he was being interviewed live today when the news crossed that the storm had grown explosively into a category 5. to watch. >> we want to begin with hurricane specialist john morales. john, now this monster of a hurricane is a category 5? >> yes. that news just came out right now, and it's certainly -- it's just an incredible, incredible, incredible hurricane. it has dropped -- it has dropped 50 millibars in ten hours. um -- i apologize. this is just -- horrific. maximum sustained winds are 160 miles per hour. and -- it -- it is just gaining strength in the gulf of mexico where you can imagine the winds -- i mean, t

you're facing the gulf of mexico going in lance and yeah, they made it. they were obstacles. gas shortage is full charges, traffic jams, and so on. but a lot of people made it hopefully, thankfully and ship on with less than a month to go until election day. hurricane milton this it is being politicized with rumors and miss information swirling it's all over social media. what's being said, as well as to say, that's actually absolutely is clickable. this is unbelievable. what's going on here? how specific individuals i try to capitalize on what's going on. you see hurricanes, natural disasters, any kind of disaster were not long ago, perhaps in the united states. a reason to unify right. but even that is not happening anymore. here there is politicians out there. namely donald trump, we're saying really lying to people saying that the fema is being strapped of cash and not able to actually help them because the hair is by ministration. of buying their hairs administration is diverting money, which is absolute nonsense. so yes, it is completely politicized.

so as we track this storm across the gulf of mexico, remember, really, really warm. we could see rainfall up to 15 inches in some spots. devastating winds, and life-threatening storm surge. that's going to be the big story as we go throughout the next couple of days here. now is the time to prepare as we head towards wednesday. expecting landfall around 7:00 on wednesday. so later on in the evening on wednesday. this is going to be something to watch over the next 12 days because the path is not set in stone, but we're looking at a chance for really big impacts in florida by wednesday. frances, we'll talk more about this. also talking about the rest of the country in just a few minutes. >> what a blow for that area. thanks, michelle. >> sure. >> and as florida braces for milton, some north carolinians are facing new heartbreak as the state still reels. hardly anyone in the storm zone had flood insurance. nbc's jesse kirsch tells us how they're now paying the price. >> reporter: as helene tore through asheville, north carolina, this was the scene outside lee braber's

you can see milton here out of the gulf of mexico.s expected to strengthen to a category four as it hits land as a cat three. our team is looking through the models to see when and where it will land fall. the concern now, all that rain and wind right on top of an area already reeling after the last hurricane just nine days ago. we're not losing focus of the aftermath of that storm either. the federal response in north carolina and tennessee, along with the surge in private donations. we have team coverage tonight, but let's begin with angie lassman who is following milton. >> good evening. we're seeing this system rapidly intensify in the gulf of mexico. a category one now with winds up to 85 miles an hour. likely to become a category four in the next day or so. by the time it makes land fall as we get into the later parts of wednesday, a category three. anywhere from the big bend to naples, we will see that happen in the second part of wednesday. the center of that system, wind damage as well. but the rain fall quite impressive acro

issued evacuation orders for lots of parts of florida, gulf coast, with lashing winds, and a surging tied hurricane. milton makes itself felt. as it passes mexico's, you pretend peninsula across the gulf of mexico, cars ciocca highway in the state of florida as residents, lee, the storms pat joseph dade, are preparing for projected winds of over 200 kilometers per hour. but as they work, they also have to clear the debris from another recent storm. hurricane hawaii. really frustrating that the last hurricane came the store. and they screwed around and haven't picked the debris off and now they're scrambling to get it picked up. and if this one does it, it's going to be flying this. if it comes is anywhere close to the policy that's going to be on the 2nd floor. so i've so really scared and how i think there's from the last storm. so i really think we're going to evacuate. the international space station captured this image of the eye of milton from above as it crosses the gulf of mexico. it's expected to make land fall on the us coast mid week. vice president comma la harris, urge residents to follow evacuation orders. please let the to your loca

it was a very strong storm in the gulf of mexico but it carries with it a devastating storm surge. that does not change as the category goes down. >> harris: quick question. from what we just saw with helene, i'm looking for the reason why it stayed on land and stayed so powerful for so long. was that because it was a bigger storm when it hit? what are they looking for here? you said it will remain a cat 3 and could cross the state. >> it will cross the state. it will still be a hurricane. but i was listening to governor desantis earlier "fox & friends." the state of florida can with stand a category 3, 2, 1 hurricane winds. we'll see power outages and over a foot of rainfall but it is the storm surge into the vulnerable area here along the west coast, the gulf coast. that is because of the topography. very shallow. all of that water has to go somewhere. if this was anywhere else a ten to 15 foot storm surge could be with stood. this can't. >> harris: it has a lot of water on it. everglades and all that is all water. >> the two-foot rain surplus already for this vulnerable area. fl

drawing in warm exceptionally, moist surface air from the gulf of mexico with low level very dry hot air from the southwest and cold dry surface air from the north. unaware of the dramatic weather changes just over the horizon, cindy and her instructor continue the lesson. throttle back. now the newly until the wing line. full power nose back up to her right. hey i did that one real nice in that and then that breath stopping moment every student pilot waits for when when the instructor says make this a good landing and you can let me out. you're ready to. that's good. just go out and come back. okay. all right. yeah. call in if you have any trouble. right. be careful. a joyous moment never to be forgotten. alone in control. a powerful engine throbbing up front and empty sky above. all right. with the world. or so it seems, as the hot, dry air meets the moist gulf air, a squall line forms. turbulence grows as the cold moves in. as storms move into the influence of the jet stream aloft, they can become more intense. these are the ingredients needed to trigger tornadoes. trying to expect

drawing in warm exceptionally, moist surface air from the gulf of mexico with low level very dry hot air from the southwest and cold dry surface air from the north. unaware of the dramatic weather changes just over the horizon, cindy and her instructor continue the lesson. throttle back. now the newly until the wing line. full power nose back up to her right. hey i did that one real nice in that and then that breath stopping moment every student pilot waits for when when the instructor says make this a good landing and you can let me out. you're ready to. that's good. just go out and come back. okay. all right. yeah. call in if you have any trouble. right. be careful. a joyous moment never to be forgotten. alone in control. a powerful engine throbbing up front and empty sky above. all right. with the world. or so it seems, as the hot, dry air meets the moist gulf air, a squall line forms. turbulence grows as the cold moves in. as storms move into the influence of the jet stream aloft, they can become more intense. these are the ingredients needed to trigger tornadoes. trying to expect