Milton is forecast to become a Category 5 hurricane later today, according to the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. ET update. The storm is currently located about 720 miles southwest of Tampa, Fla., and is expected to become a large hurricane over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Milton's top winds are blowing at 155 mph and could grow into an even stronger Category 5 hurricane before it slams the west coast of Florida.

Hurricane Milton intensified into a Category 5 Hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico late Monday morning as it barreled toward the Florida Gulf coast, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene killed at least 20 people in Florida before causing devastating flooding across parts of the southeastern U.S.