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Will Hurricane Milton hit Mar-a-Lago? What we know

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Will Hurricane Milton hit Mar-a-Lago? What we know

Milton has been a Category 5 hurricane since Tuesday afternoon. It is expected to cross the Florida peninsula after making landfall late Wednesday.

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As of Tuesday afternoon, Hurricane Milton is still an extremely strong storm heading toward central Florida, where it is expected to make landfall late Wednesday.

It was being closely watched by officials as it quickly intensified from a Category 2 storm to a Category 5 on Monday.

“Milton has the potential to be one of the most devastating hurricanes ever for West Central Florida,” John Cangialosi, a specialist with the National Hurricane Center, warned in an update Tuesday. Damaging winds, life-threatening storm surges and heavy rains will extend far beyond the forecast cone, he said.

The hurricane is expected to make landfall on the west coast of the Florida Peninsula before moving through the middle of the state as a weaker hurricane. Extremely dangerous conditions are expected with deadly storm surges of up to 10 feet in some areas.

On the opposite side of the state is a very famous landmark: Mar-a-Lago. Here's what we know about the powerful storm's potential impact on former President Donald Trump's Florida compound.

Will Hurricane Milton hit Mar-a-Lago?

Maps show Mar-a-Lago will be spared the worst impacts of the powerful hurricane Tuesday afternoon. The Palm Beach area, where the former president's residence is located, is currently under a tropical storm warning from the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasts indicate a storm surge of up to three feet could hit the Palm Beach area as Milton moves through the state.

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Hurricane Milton Tracker

Who owned Mar-a-Lago before Donald Trump?

Charles William Post, a breakfast cereal businessman, left an inheritance of $11 million to his daughter Marjorie Merriweather Post.

In the 1920s she invested $2.5 million to build a palace.

How many rooms does Mar-a-Lago have?

The main house was built in 1927 and had 58 bedrooms, 33 bathrooms and three bomb shelters.

It also featured a 1,800-square-foot living room, a 1,500-square-foot dining room, a theater, a 75-foot tower, 36,000 antique Spanish tiles and a nine-hole golf course.

How did Trump acquire Mar-a-Lago?

Trump bought Mar-a-Lago and its facility in 1985 for $10 million. He restored the house and added a putting green, tennis court and croquet court. He then added a spa, salon and gym.

To offset costs, he converted it into a private club in 1995.

(This story has been updated to correct a spelling/typo error.)

Contributor: Merdie Nzanga

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a featured news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

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