Ports on Florida's Atlantic and Gulf coasts closed to inbound vessel traffic Monday in preparation of Hurricane Milton, which strengthened into a category 5 storm.
The US Coast Guard late Sunday set condition X-Ray at ports from Jacksonville, on Florida's Atlantic coast, to Panama City, on the state's Gulf coast. This means gale force winds (39-54mph) were forecast within 48 hours.
All commercial traffic and transfer operations can continue during X-Ray, but the Coast Guard said ocean-going commercial vessels greater than 500 gross tons should make plans to depart the port or request permission from authorities to remain in port. Incoming vessel traffic is prohibited without Coast Guard permission.
A ship agent expects the Coast Guard to set port condition Yankee from Miami to Tampa on Monday evening, which would mean gale force winds within 24 hours.
Milton, with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, was about out 130 miles west of Progreso, Mexico, according to an 11am ET National Hurricane Center advisory. The storm is forecast to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
