Tropical Storm Milton emerged in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday, with predictions suggesting it will rapidly strengthen into a major hurricane within a few days.

Forecasts indicate that Milton could escalate to a significant Category 3 hurricane within 36 hours, striking the west coast of Florida around mid-week. This poses a serious risk to areas already recovering from last month’s Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Ian in 2022, according to the National Hurricane Center.

In response, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency affecting the following counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia.

The National Hurricane Center has warned that hurricane watches might be issued for parts of Florida by late Sunday.

According to Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Milton is forecasted to become a “potentially very impactful hurricane,” hitting the Florida peninsula on Tuesday or Wednesday.

When it makes landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast near St. Petersburg and Tampa, Milton is predicted to have maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. “That’s right on the verge of a Category 2-Category 3 hurricane,” Rhome noted.

While all hurricanes pose life-threatening winds, those classified as Category 3 and above are termed major hurricanes. Major hurricanes can wreak catastrophic wind damage and loss of life, while hurricanes of any category can lead to deadly storm surges, flooding due to rain, and tornadoes.

The winds from Milton could reach between 120 mph and 140 mph upon landfall, which will likely cause significant structural damage, stated AccuWeather’s senior meteorologist Bob Smerbeck during a briefing on Saturday afternoon.

Additionally, Hurricane Kirk is expected to produce swells in the Atlantic Ocean, impacting the U.S. East Coast this weekend, noted the National Hurricane Center.

Milton Expected to Bring Heavy Rain to Florida

No evacuations have been mandated yet, according to Rhome, but they might become necessary. Residents in Florida should ensure they have a hurricane preparedness plan and keep up with the latest forecasts and official advisories.

“Regardless of the storm’s exact path, it will generate widespread heavy rain and the possibility of flooding,” Rhome warned.

Rapid strengthening is anticipated as Milton evolves into a hurricane by Sunday evening and becomes a major hurricane while progressing through the central and eastern regions of the Gulf, according to updates from the National Hurricane Center on Saturday night. The Mexican government also issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the northern coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula from Celestun to Cancun.

The west coast of Florida is bracing for life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts, just over a week after Hurricane Helene caused severe damage in the Southeast. Milton was located approximately 860 miles west-southwest of Tampa on Saturday night.

“Communities still recovering from the record storm surge brought by Hurricane Helene will once again face a heightened risk of storm surge flooding and coastal inundation, along with heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts, and prolonged power outages,” remarked AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham in a Saturday update. “The chance of rapid intensification is being monitored closely by AccuWeather meteorologists.”

Milton poses additional threats, such as severe storm surge, potential tornadoes, and power outages, as highlighted by AccuWeather, which indicated high risks to life and property in areas including Tampa, Fort Myers, and several other locations along the Gulf coast and central Florida.

On Friday, forecasters expressed particular concern about the possibility of heavy rainfall from the storm system.

As the storm approaches land and moves northeast, projections indicate rainfall amounts of 8-12 inches, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax reaching up to 30 inches.

As Milton advances northward, significant risks of tornado activity are likely for central and southern Florida.

According to Smerbeck, southern Georgia and South Carolina could experience winds ranging from 40 mph to 60 mph. He noted, “This may interfere with recovery efforts for individuals trying to get back to normal” following the impact of Helene.

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Hurricane Kirk’s Swells Expected on US East Coast

While Kirk is situated far out in the Atlantic, its swells are anticipated to move westward towards the U.S. East Coast, Atlantic Canada, and the Bahamas Saturday night and Sunday, reaching the Azores by Monday, as per the hurricane center’s statement on Saturday. The swells could lead to hazardous surf and rip current conditions, warns the NHC.

Tracking Hurricane Leslie

Currently situated in the tropical eastern Atlantic, Leslie is not likely to affect any land areas, according to the center’s updates on Saturday.