(NewsNation) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday is expected to give an update on preparations for Hurricane Milton, which is likely to make landfall Wednesday near the Tampa Bay area.
Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane Monday with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph after developing in the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters warn the area could see a storm surge up to 12 feet, leading the way for possible evacuations.
Milton comes on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane before weakening over land. While Helene decreased in intensity as it traversed the Southeast, the storm still brought major devastation to several states, with western North Carolina still largely cut off due to storm damage.
Forecast models currently show Milton making landfall Wednesday and remaining at hurricane strength as it moves across Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean. The current track would avoid other states affected by Helene, which has resulted in at least 230 deaths so far with many still missing in the Appalachians.
A tropical storm watch was in effect for Florida’s Gulf Coast from Flamingo to south of Chokoloskee and from north of the mouth of the Suwanee River to Indian Pass, and for the Florida Keys, including Florida Bay.
DeSantis said Sunday that while it remains to be seen where exactly Milton will strike, it’s clear the state is going to be hit hard.
“You have time to prepare — all day today, all day Monday, probably all day Tuesday to be sure your hurricane preparedness plan is in place,” DeSantis said. “If you’re on that west coast of Florida, barrier islands, just assume you’ll be asked to leave.”
The state is preparing for the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017, when 7 million people were told to evacuate.
Milton also makes the first time there have been three hurricanes happening simultaneously in the Atlantic, though Hurricanes Leslie and Kirk are not currently expected to make landfall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
