When will Hurricane Milton hit Jacksonville? How bad will it be?

When will Hurricane Milton be worst in Jacksonville?

As of Tuesday afternoon, the storm was expected to cross Florida between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The storm's outer rain bands could reach the Jacksonville area Wednesday morning, the weather service said.

The weather service said there could be a “damaging wind risk” and storm surge flooding on both Wednesday and Thursday, and there could also be “persistent” flooding on the St. Johns River. Rain that falls farther south will run off into rivers that flow into the St. Johns before flowing through Jacksonville to the ocean. So when the storm surge passes, there may still be water backed up in the river trying to get out.

Jacksonville streets remain flooded following Hurricane Ian

Deep water flooded San Marco's Palm Avenue, a block from the St. Johns River, and LaSalle Street, a day after Ian drove through Jacksonville.

Dan Scanlan, Florida Times-Union

How much rain should Jacksonville expect from Hurricane Milton?

Totals could range from 5 to 12 inches, with the larger accumulations in St. Johns County, Putnam and Flagler counties. In southeast Georgia, inland rain totals could reach as little as 2 to 4 inches, the weather service said.

How strong are Hurricane Milton's winds in Jacksonville?

On Tuesday morning, a weather forecast from the weather service said coastal areas of Duval County could expect peak winds of just 20 to 30 mph and gusts of up to 45 mph. However, the area is under a tropical storm warning, which by definition means sustained winds of 39-73 mph are expected within 36 hours.