Hurricane Milton strengthens to a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico

ATLANTA — Severe Weather Team 2 says Hurricane Milton strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane Monday morning with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour.

The storm strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane early Monday morning and quickly strengthened again into a Category 3 and then Category 4 storm.

As of Monday morning, hurricane and tropical storm watches are posted across much of Florida’s west coast.

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Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz says people on Florida’s west coast should be completing preparations and following any evacuation orders.

He says it’s likely there will be catastrophic damage.

Milton is tracking towards Central Florida and will make landfall on Wednesday, just weeks after Hurricane Helene.

Helene caused catastrophic damage from Florida into the Appalachian mountains and a death toll that rose Sunday to 230 people, the Associated Press said.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Milton intensifies into hurricane as it sets its sights on Florida Milton is tracking towards Central Florida and will make landfall on Wednesday, just weeks after Hurricane Helene.

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