Hurricane Milton 'One Of Strongest' Gulf Storms With 180 MPH Winds

Updated: Monday, 7:38 p.m. EST

FLORIDA — Hurricane Milton, now a Category 5 storm, continues to intensify in the Gulf as it takes aim at Florida.

The storm is packing "winds up to 180 mph and (the) pressure dropping even more," Juliana Mejia, meteorologist with WINK News, wrote in a Monday afternoon Facebook post.

"Scary. No other way to describe it," Denis Phillips, chief meteorologist for ABC Action News, wrote in a Facebook post, adding in a later post, "No mincing words. Milton is one of the strongest storms ever to form in the Gulf. However, it WILL weaken as it approaches Florida. It will STILL be a powerful hurricane, but not nearly as strong as it is now."

The storm "rapidly intensified" over the course of a day, the NHC said; as of Sunday morning it was still just a tropical storm, but within the course of 28 hours it was a Category 5 hurricane. Its center could come ashore Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area.

"Additionally, an abundance of lighting has been flashing around the eye of Milton, an indication that it could still be strengthening," according to AccuWeather forecasters.

"This is the real deal here with Milton," Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said at a news conference. "If you want to take on Mother Nature, she wins 100% of the time."

Hurricane and storm surge warnings are in effect for much of the state’s west coast, according to forecasters. Gov. Ron DeSantis also declared a state of emergency for 51 Florida counties over the weekend, days before Milton is forecast to slam into the state as a major hurricane.

The system could bring “potentially historic hurricane impacts” to the Tampa Bay region, including 10 to 15 feet of storm surge, wind gusts up to 140 mph and possibly more than 2 feet of rain in some areas, according to AccuWeather forecasters.

Mandatory evacuations go into effect Monday in certain evacuation zones in Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties, officials said.

If residents don’t evacuate, it could put first responders in jeopardy or make rescues impossible: “If you remain there, you could die and my men and women could die trying to rescue you,” Hillsborough Fire Rescue Chief Jason Dougherty said.

“This is an unusual and extremely concerning forecast track for a hurricane approaching the Tampa Bay area,” Jonathan Porter, AccuWeather chief meteorologist, added. “Milton could rapidly intensify into a major hurricane with extreme impacts. This hurricane could create a life-threatening storm surge. Please make sure your family and friends in this area are prepared."

It will hit less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in the Big Bend area as a Category 4 storm, ravaged Florida’s coastal communities and much of the U.S. Southeast. Helene left millions without power, leveled neighborhoods and killed at least 232 people across six states, CNN said.

Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union and Volusia counties fall under the governor’s emergency orders in Florida.

While Milton reached Category 5 storm status as it moved across the Gulf, some weakening is expected before landfall in Florida, forecasters said.

"As the storm approaches, it will run into 35-40 mph shear. That will weaken Milton. How much? I'd say a couple categories," Phillips wrote. "Remember, this is a VERY small storm. Hurricane winds only extend about 25 miles. Yes, it will get larger, but the worst of the wind will be in a very small area. Unfortunately, that area is likely to be in our area. And again, surge is still a huge threat."

He added, "Regardless, a powerful hurricane is almost assuredly going to make landfall in our area. Don't take it lightly."

On Monday, the system is approaching the Yucatan Peninsula, which is expected to bring a life-threatening storm surge with damaging waves to areas of its northern coast, the National Hurricane Center said.

It’s also possible that Milton’s eye could make landfall in the Yucatan before turning northeast on its way to Florida, Phillips wrote.

After this, Milton is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast Wednesday, though it’s not sure exactly where the eye and eyewall will come ashore. This could happen anywhere from Cedar Key south to Naples, reports said.

Parts of the state’s west coast, including the Tampa Bay area, will see the life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds Tuesday night or early Wednesday, NHC said.

Even ahead of Milton, parts of Florida will see heavy rainfall Monday, with rains more directly related to the hurricane expected late Tuesday through Wednesday night. This brings “a risk of considerable flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with the potential for moderate to major river flooding,” the agency said.

After landfall, "Milton will cross the state and bring hurricane conditions to inland areas including Polk County and Orlando," Phillips wrote.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.