Six million people in the state of Florida are warned to be in the affected area. The place that could bear the brunt of this historic storm is the densely populated city of Tampa Bay - with more than 3.3 million people. Since Monday (October 7), many Americans have evacuated, causing "sold out" of plane tickets, out of stock at gas stations and congestion on the highways. Notably, Floridians are "holding their breath waiting for the super storm" in the context that they have not yet recovered to normal conditions after Hurricane Helene which happened just two weeks ago.

According to the Live Hurricane Tracker of the US National Hurricane Center, Milton will make landfall on the west coast of Florida late Wednesday (October 9). It could maintain hurricane strength as it moves through central Florida toward the Atlantic. That path would largely avoid other states devastated by Helene, which killed at least 230 people on its way from Florida to the Carolinas in September.

Milton has been rapidly strengthening in the eastern Gulf of Mexico over the past few days and has been moving in a complex manner. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Monday afternoon that the storm was much stronger than predicted two days ago. Initial projections called for it to be a Category 3 storm when it makes landfall, with winds of 111 to 129 mph (180 to 210 km/h). Tampa Bay hasn't seen a direct hit from a major hurricane in more than a century.

By the afternoon of October 7 (US time), Milton had become a Category 5 hurricane - the strongest on the US scale, with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and was centered about 675 miles (1,085 km) southwest of Tampa in the late afternoon. Those winds had eased to 155 mph (250 km/h) by early Tuesday morning, and the storm was downgraded to a Category 4. However, the National Hurricane Center said Milton still posed an "extremely serious threat to Florida." The storm could still take unexpected turns with more than 24 hours to go before it makes landfall.

The storm is expected to grow to its former size as it approaches Florida and then make landfall as a Category 3 storm. The National Hurricane Center said in a 2 a.m. local time bulletin on October 8 that the storm was moving east at 9 mph and was about 590 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida. Hurricane warnings and storm surge warnings have been issued for the Florida coast.

Milton has already become one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, even before it makes landfall. Milton's pressure dropped to 897 millibars Monday night, the fifth-lowest ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Forecasters warned of a storm surge of 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.6 meters) in Tampa Bay. That’s the highest level ever predicted for the location and nearly double the level reached two weeks ago during Hurricane Helene, National Hurricane Center spokeswoman Maria Torres said.

The storm could also cause widespread flooding. Rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 centimeters) are expected for mainland Florida and the Keys, with up to 15 inches (38 centimeters) in some areas. Hurricane Milton is expected to strengthen as it approaches Florida, and while the storm's center will be more visible, its impacts will be felt far and wide, said Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center.

"As we expect Milton to grow in size before making landfall, the wind and storm surge impacts will extend far beyond the center," he warned. Storm surge warnings and watches covered the entire west coast of the Florida peninsula overnight. The American Red Cross said it was "racing against the clock to mobilize volunteers, shelters and supplies" as the second storm in less than two weeks was on its way to Florida.

"People are still searching for loved ones missing in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and the Red Cross reunion team is working around the clock," the Red Cross said in a statement. The Red Cross said climate change is making it more vulnerable to natural disasters The organization is also urging people elsewhere in the country to register to donate blood, as Helene has disrupted thousands of blood drives and Milton could continue to put additional strain on the blood supply in the coming days.