Major Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified earlier today into a Category 5 hurricane. As of 4 p.m., it has 180 mph winds, with hurricane-force winds extending 30 miles from the center. The storm is headed for the west coast of Florida, likely making landfall late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning around the Tampa Bay area.

Milton is forecast to rapidly intensify in the next couple of days in the Gulf of Mexico and become a major hurricane on Monday, forecasters said.

Hurricane Milton is approaching the west coast of Florida with life-threatening conditions. The storm is undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle, which can temporarily weaken it but often results in a stronger hurricane.