Hurricane Milton is forecasted to downgrade from a Category 5 to a lower category as it approaches west-central Florida on Wednesday night, yet it may still become one of the most destructive storms in the area’s history.

Milton strengthened into a hurricane on Sunday while traversing the Gulf of Mexico. By Monday, it escalated from a Category 2 to a Category 5, boasting wind speeds of 180 mph, as reported by the National Hurricane Center.

AccuWeather meteorologists predict that Milton will make landfall close to St. Petersburg late Wednesday, likely as a strong Category 3 hurricane. A major concern is the potential for record-breaking storm surges reaching 15-20 feet in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg regions.

The National Hurricane Center anticipates rainfall amounts between 6 to 12 inches across central to northern Florida, with isolated areas receiving up to 18 inches through Thursday. Such heavy rainfall poses risks of life-threatening flash floods and significant urban flooding, as well as moderate to severe river flooding, according to their advisory.

Once the storm’s center makes landfall in Florida on Wednesday night, it is expected to move off the eastern coast into the Atlantic Ocean by Thursday, as per the Center’s projections.