Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.
Milton is forecast to weaken as it approaches Florida, but is expected to be a strong Category 3 hurricane when it makes landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday near Tampa and Sarasota.
The Tampa area is bracing for a potentially record-breaking storm surge up to 15 feet. This would shatter the record-breaking storm surge set just two weeks ago from Hurricane Helene.
Storm surge could reach 12 feet in Fort Myers.
Because of Milton’s large size, tropical storm-force winds are expected across nearly all of Florida. These winds will likely cause widespread damage to property and trees and leave millions without power for days to weeks.
The highest rain totals are expected from Tampa to Orlando to Daytona, where an extreme flash flood risk — the highest level — is in effect.
Five to 12 inches of rain is in the forecast; locally up to 18 inches is expected.
-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin