Hurricane Milton has rapidly escalated to a Category 5 storm, with wind speeds hitting 160 mph in the Gulf of Mexico just two days after its formation. The hurricane is moving quickly toward Florida's Gulf Coast, with projections suggesting it could impact the heavily populated Tampa Bay area by midweek, following Hurricane Helene.
Although Milton is smaller than Helene, experts caution that its right-angle trajectory toward the coast could increase storm surges, potentially raising water levels by up to 12 feet above normal. With state emergency orders issued, residents in affected areas have been advised to finalize their preparations as evacuations and significant disruptions are expected