Maps show the track of Hurricane Milton as forecasters predict landfall in Florida this week

Hurricane Milton On Monday, the storm strengthened into a strong Category 5 storm that is expected to hit Florida's Gulf Coast by midweek. The storm quickly intensified over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, although forecasters said they expected Milton to weaken slightly before making landfall.

Shortly after 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Milton had maximum sustained winds of 175 mph as it headed east over warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

Forecasters expect Milton to make landfall around the Tampa Bay region on Wednesday as a major hurricane, flooding much of a state still reeling from the crisis Hurricane Helene. However, forecasts varied early Monday regarding the timing of Milton's landfall and expected strength upon arrival as the hurricane changed rapidly in a matter of hours.

The latest update showed Milton is about 105 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and about 700 miles southwest of Tampa.

Major hurricanes are those that reach Category 3 or higher Saffir-Simpson wind scalewhich means the sustained wind speed is at least 111 miles per hour. Sustained winds of 130 miles per hour classify a storm as a Category 4, and 157 miles per hour means a Category 5 storm.

Path of Hurricane Milton

A map from the National Hurricane Center shows Milton as a major hurricane approaching the west coast of Florida.

“Milton's remarkably rapid intensification continues,” the hurricane center said Monday, noting that the eye of the storm is becoming clearer.

The storm is expected to move near or north of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula by Tuesday. Heavy rains are expected as we move northeast from Milton toward Florida. The Mexican government issued a hurricane warning from Celestun to Rio Lagartos, a hurricane warning from Celestun to Cabo Catoche and a tropical storm warning east of Cabo Catoche to Cancun.

The National Weather Service said Monday morning that a hurricane warning is in effect for Florida's Gulf Coast from Chokoloskee north to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay and Dry Tortugas. Lake Okeechobee was also under a hurricane watch.

A storm surge warning has been issued for Florida's Gulf Coast from Flamingo north to the Suwannee River, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay. Storm surge in the Tampa Bay area could reach up to 12 feet above the ground.

Significantly more rain was forecast to fall in parts of West Florida later in the week – up to 15 inches in some areas – as the storm makes landfall.

Officials in Florida are preparing for further impacts

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday that while it remained to be seen where Milton would strike, it was clear Florida would be hit hard.

“I don’t think there’s a scenario where we don’t have a major impact at this point,” he said.

“You have time to prepare — all day today, all day Monday, probably all day Tuesday to make sure your hurricane preparedness plan is implemented,” DeSantis said. “If you are on the west coast of Florida in the barrier islands, just assume you will be asked to leave the country.”

DeSantis expanded the state of emergency declaration to 51 counties on Sunday, saying Floridians should prepare for more power outages and interruptions and make sure they have a week's worth of food and water and are ready to hit the streets.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, meanwhile, coordinated with the governor and briefed President Biden on Sunday on how it deployed life-saving resources ahead of the storm.

“I strongly recommend that you evacuate” if you are in an evacuation zone, said Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. “We are preparing … for the largest evacuation we have ever seen, most likely since 2017, Hurricane Irma.”

Up to 4,000 National Guard troops are helping state crews clear debris, DeSantis said.

“All available state resources … will be mobilized to assist with debris removal,” DeSantis said. “We’re on duty 24/7… it’s all hands on deck.”