Milton latest: Hurricane expected to intensify to Category 4 before Florida landfall

Hurricane Milton is rapidly intensifying as it barrels toward Florida, where potentially life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and torrential rain are expected when it makes landfall later this week.

As of Sunday afternoon, the storm was gaining strength more than initially expected and had shifted a bit farther south, Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said on FOX Weather. FOX Weather reported the hurricane was expected to reach Category 4 status at its peak.

Florida's governor and emergency management director on Sunday urged those in the storm's path to evacuate, warning that time is running out to prepare.

Milton would be the third hurricane to make landfall in Florida this year.

Tracking Milton (FOX Weather)

"I urge Floridians to finalize your storm preparations now; enact your plan," Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said. "I highly encourage you to evacuate. We are preparing, and I have the State Emergency Response Team preparing, for the largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma."

When will Hurricane Milton make landfall?

Milton to become 'major storm'

The National Weather Service joined host Josh Breslow to provide an update on the latest.

With the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton is forecast to continue to rapidly intensify, reaching Category 4 strength by Tuesday before slightly weakening ahead of landfall in Florida on Wednesday. However, forecasters warn that Milton will likely still strike Florida as a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher).

No watches or warnings are in effect for the mainland U.S., but Tropical Storm Warnings and Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for portions of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Hurricane Milton was located more than 800 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, Sunday afternoon, and has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Milton is moving off to the east at 6 mph.

Watch: Dolly Parton announces $2 million for Helene victims

A separate weather system is expected to bring heavy rainfall beginning today, threatening flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with some river flooding in Florida.

Milton state of emergency

Storm preps: Tracking Tropical Storm Milton

FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez provides and update ahead of Tropical Storm Milton. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is expected to provide a live update ahead of Milton's arrival. Check back with LiveNOW from FOX for updates.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 51 counties ahead of the storm's potential landfall.

Since many of those counties are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, DeSantis asked the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Transportation to coordinate all available resources and personnel to supplement local communities as they expedite debris removal.

Milton storm surge

Norcross says it's too early to predict how much storm surge this system could generate on Florida's West Coast, as it'll depend on Milton's track and where it makes landfall in western Florida. But it will be significant and dangerous.

"In some areas, it will likely be higher than in Hurricane Helene," Norcross said. "It's critical that everybody in Central and South Florida stay well-informed since things are developing quickly."

Tropical Storm Milton to become 'major storm'

Tropical Storm Milton is expected to become a 'major storm' over the next couple of days. The National Weather Service joined host Josh Breslow to provide an update on the latest.

Other hurricanes to watch

Meanwhile, Hurricane Kirk remained a Category 4 major hurricane about 1,345 miles (2,165 kilometers) west-southwest of the Azores with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) late Saturday night, the center said.

Large swells from the storm causing "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions" were affecting the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas and the U.S. East Coast. The swells were expected to move north along the U.S. East Coast and Canada's Atlantic Coast on Sunday and to the Azores on Monday, the center said.

Hurricane Leslie was moving northwest over the open Atlantic without posing a threat to land, forecasters said late Saturday.

The storm was located about 855 miles (1,375 kilometers) west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (128 kph). There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Milton could impact Helene recovery

North Carolina disaster relief following Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene recovery continues across the southeastern portion of the United States. As of this report, more than 200 people have died. It’s the worst storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005. Non-profits, such as Operation Blessing, are responding with aid deliveries and other assistance. Diego Traverso, Director of International Disaster Relief, joins LiveNOW from FOX.

Milton is churning as rescuers in the U.S. Southeast continue to search for people unaccounted for after Hurricane Helene struck last week, leaving behind a trail of death and catastrophic damage.

Helene claimed at least 227 lives across Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia, the bulk of those in the Carolinas where mountain towns were nearly completely wiped out.

Helene came ashore Sept. 26 as a Category 4 hurricane and carved a wide swath of destruction as it moved northward from Florida, washing away homes, destroying roads and knocking out electricity and cellphone service for millions.

Helene is the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005.