### Tropical Depression 14 Could Intensify to Category 2 Hurricane Before Reaching Florida

The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories for Tropical Depression 14 as of Saturday morning, October 5, 2024. Currently positioned over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, this system is predicted to strengthen into a hurricane, potentially making landfall in Florida next week as a Category 2 hurricane named Milton.

As of the 11 a.m. advisory, the National Hurricane Center warned of possible "life-threatening impacts," including storm surge, high winds, and flash flooding along parts of Florida's Gulf Coast. Forecasters expect significant rainfall ahead of the storm on Sunday and Monday, which could bring it to near-major hurricane strength before it hits land.

Residents in the Yucatan Peninsula, the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys, and the northwestern Bahamas are advised to monitor the storm's progress closely. According to the Hurricane Center, heavy rains could affect parts of Mexico within the next two days and much of Florida late this weekend through the middle of next week, regardless of the storm's development.

Forecasting models remain in flux, but the current track suggests the storm's eye could make landfall somewhere along Florida's west coast, including the Tampa Bay area. If the storm shifts northward, the longer time spent over the warm Gulf waters could lead to even stronger intensification, forecasters said. Areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene last week may also feel the effects of this new storm.

The National Weather Service in Tampa has raised concerns about inland flooding due to an already saturated area. Meteorologist Christianne Pearce emphasized the potential compounded impact, noting, "Rainfall ahead of the storm would definitely have more of an impact because that means any extra rainfall from the storm would lead to even more flooding." Tampa Bay could see between three to six inches of rain over the next five days, though this could change with the storm's development speed.

In addition to Tropical Depression 14, the National Hurricane Center is also tracking two other hurricanes in the Atlantic, though neither currently poses a major threat to Florida. The hurricane season continues until November 30.