The Milton phenomenon in Punta Cana, RD has escalated this Monday morning, the 7th. It intensified to a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The hurricane is expected to bring intense to occasionally torrential rainfall in the Yucatan Peninsula and the eastern part of the country. It will also cause high winds and large waves along the Gulf of Mexico coast.
At 07:00 local time (13:00 GMT), the center of Cyclone Milton was positioned at North latitude: 21.7° West longitude: 92.0°. This is about 190 km west-northwest of Celestún and 240 km west of Progreso, in Yucatan, Mexico.
Milton is progressing east-southeast (115°) at a speed of 13 km/h. It has maximum sustained wind speeds of 240 km/h and wind gusts reaching up to 290 km/h.
In collaboration with the CMRE MIAMI, a hurricane prevention zone has been declared from Celestún to Río Lagartos, Yucatán. A hurricane watch zone has been identified from Río Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, Yucatán, and from Campeche, Camp., to Celestún, Yuc. A tropical storm warning is also in place from Río Lagartos, Yucatán, to Cancún, Q. Roo.
Heavy Rains
Occasional torrential rains (150 to 250mm) are anticipated in Campeche and Yucatán. Intense showers (75 to 150mm) are expected in Puebla, Veracruz, Tabasco, and Quintana Roo. Heavy but occasional rainfall (25 to 50mm) is also forecasted in Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, and Tlaxcala. Other conditions to anticipate include wind gusts of 150 to 180 km/h, waves of 5 to 7 meters high, and the potential creation of waterspouts along the coasts of Campeche and Yucatan. For the coasts of Veracruz and Tabasco, wind gusts may reach 80 to 100 km/h with waves of 3 to 5 meters high. Tamaulipas and Quintana Roo can expect wind gusts from 70 to 90 km/h and waves of 2 to 4 meters high.
Authorities advise residents in the affected areas to exercise extreme caution due to the rain, wind, and waves (including maritime navigation). They also encourage the public to heed the advice given by the National Civil Protection System authorities in their respective areas.