Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified into a powerful Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds reaching 180 mph. It is currently located about 630 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, and is moving eastward. This explosive strengthening comes just days after the area faced significant damage from Hurricane Helene, making preparations even more urgent​

The National Hurricane Center has warned of potential storm surges of up to 12 feet, particularly in the Tampa Bay area. Local officials are urging residents to finalize their storm plans, which may include evacuations, especially for those living in mobile homes

 have already begun in Hillsborough County, and President Biden has approved an emergency declaration to facilitate aid and support​ 

Milton's rapid intensification, increasing by 92 mph within just 24 hours, is attributed to unusually warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico and a specific storm structure known as a "pinhole eye," which has been compared to past storms like Hurricane Wilma​

Residents are advised to stay informed and heed evacuation orders as the storm approaches Florida's west coast​