Milton strengthens into powerful Category 5 hurricane ahead of Florida landfall

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Milton continued to rapidly gain strength as it makes its way across the Gulf of Mexico's warm waters, strengthening into a powerful Category 5 hurricane Monday before it makes landfall in Florida.

The storm is continuing to "rapidly intensify" as it moves east from its current location in the Gulf due north of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). It is already packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph “with higher gusts” as it barrels towards Florida's west coast.

Storm surge watches are in place along nearly all of that coastline running from Florida's southern tip to just north of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. A massive swathe of that area running from Bonita Beach to Yankeetown, including Tampa Bay, is expected to receive up to 12 feet of coastal flooding.

"There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday," the NHC said in an advisory.

Landfall is expected to take place Wednesday evening as forecasters warn that the hurricane is expected to drench nearly the entire state with some areas receiving up to 1 foot (30 cm) of rain. That risks "considerable flash, urban and areal flooding," as well as "moderate to major river flooding," the NHC said.

On Monday morning, US President Joe Biden authorized an emergency declaration for Florida as it continues to recover from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene in the state's Big Bend region before it tore through Appalachia. The action facilitates federal assistance for local authorities.

Unlike Helene, Milton is forecast to sweep northeast across Florida before moving into the Atlantic Ocean Thursday.​​​​​​​