Melissa Eichman

[Melissa Eichman @MEbn9]

9yo shark bite survivor, parents & doctors speak out @TGHCares @BN9

[Spectrum News 13 @MyNews13]

The eye of #milton is making landfall into Sarasota right now. Big storm surge south of the eye. Strong winds with very heavy rain on the north side.

[Spectrum Bay News 9 Weather @bn9weather]

93mph wind gust at SRQ-Sarasota/Bradenton Int'l Airport. #FLwx #Milton

[Spectrum Bay News 9 @BN9]

BAY AREA BRIDGES UPDATE:
The Skyway Bridge is now CLOSED to all traffic.
The Howard Frankland Bridge is now CLOSED to all traffic.
Westbound Gandy Bridge is now CLOSED to all traffic.
Westbound Courtney Campbell is now CLOSED to all traffic.
https://t.co/jzXsEGGiUu

[Tim Wronka @TimWronka]

Here’s a look at current conditions on the Howard Frankland Bridge.

The bridge is now closed in both directions.

#Milton @BN9

[Spectrum Bay News 9 @BN9]

Live streaming is available without subscription for the duration of Milton coverage on our website at https://t.co/qTs3DwDYTl and on our Spectrum News app which can be downloaded at https://t.co/GWYdMIBDX6.

[Tim Wronka @TimWronka]

As of 11 AM, evacuation traffic is looking lighter than yesterday so far.

Most of the northbound delays I'm seeing are on I-75 in Sumter County near SR-44 and the FL Turnpike.

#Milton @BN9

[Spectrum Bay News 9 @BN9]

11 p.m. advisory: Milton is still a strong category 5 hurricane with winds of 165 mph. Landfall is now expected after midnight on Thursday. Milton is expected to remain a major hurricane (at least Category 3) during landfall this week. https://t.co/UyaDACm2HX

[Spectrum Bay News 9 Weather @bn9weather]

TS Milton is a little more organized now, but small. It is expected to move toward the Gulf Coast of Florida by Wednesday. It will likely be much larger and stronger by then. It could possibly be a Category 3 near the coast. Diane Kacmarik

[Mike Clay @Mike_Clay]

#BREAKING: Tropical Depression 14 (future Milton) forms quickly in the Gulf. Expected to bring life-threatening storm sure to the West-Coast of FL next week. Storm Surge Watch will likely be issued on Sunday. Stay with Bay News 9 for updates and make your plans now.

[Melissa Eichman @MEbn9]

Access to Clearwater Beach is still restricted to residents & business owners. @BN9

[Spectrum Bay News 9 Weather @bn9weather]

Official landfall of #Helene about 10 miles southwest of Perry, FL #FLwx. Maximum winds were estimated at 140mph and pressure of 938mb.

[Spectrum Bay News 9 @BN9]

JUST IN: The Courtney Campbell Causeway is CLOSED as a result of high winds and storm surge. Motorists should seek alternate travel routes and if not absolutely necessary remain off the highways. MORE TRAFFIC UPDATES: https://t.co/ymI5EmG8Dh

[Jeff Butera @BayNews9Jeff]

I’m STUNNED they have not closed the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa Bay.

This was the live look at 3:21 with the chop from #HurricaneHelene

Please stay off the bridge!

[Spectrum Bay News 9 @BN9]

#BREAKING: Hurricane Helene has strengthened again and is now a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. https://t.co/pSM7EcKoDF

[Spectrum Bay News 9 Weather @bn9weather]

#Klystron9 Update at 2:45 pm: really strong squalls offshore with hurricane force wind gusts possible. Looks like they will skirt Manatee & Pinellas Co within the hour. Tropical Storm Warning & Tornado Watch continue.

[Tim Wronka @TimWronka]

‼️The Skyway Bridge is now closed.

FHP says wind gusts have reached 60 mph there. #Helene @BN9

[Spectrum Bay News 9 Weather @bn9weather]

We have been tracking #Helene on Klystron 9 and we can assure you that Helene is not making a hard east turn. We have drawn dots on the center of the eye every so often and its latest movement is due north. Overall movement will be NNE with the core passing west of Tampa.

[Josh Rojas @JoshRojasBN9]

Since the deadly school shooting in Georgia on Sept. 4, Superintendent Van Ayres says the Hillsborough School District has gotten 181 false threats. It’s 5 times more threats on a school app than last year. Newsome High was 1 of 6 schools placed on lockdown today. @BN9

[Josh Rojas @JoshRojasBN9]

Hurricane Debby severely eroded the Ben T. Davis Park shoreline in Tampa. USF Geology Professor Ping Wang says high tide is now reaching within 40 feet of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. @BN9 https://t.co/2FOT3a6Jh3