TEMPLE, Texas — Hurricane Milton has strengthened into a Category 5 storm with max sustained winds of 160 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. update.
NHC anticipates the storm will make landfall by Wednesday, but will it hit Texas?
Where is Milton?
While there is still uncertainty about Milton's track, the good news for Texas is that a majority of models keep Milton headed toward Florida when it makes landfall Wednesday night.
The storm is currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico and remains about 700 miles out from Tampa, NHC said. It's projected to weaken before landfall in the Tampa area as a Category 3 storm with max sustained winds of 125 mph.
Milton is projected to remain a hurricane as it travels across the Sunshine State.
Risk of Milton
On Monday, Florida authorities issued mandatory evacuations for the state. NHC said the state is expected to see deadly storm surge, putting the coastal areas under a hurricane and storm surge watch.
Per NHC, the Tampa Bay area expects to see storm surge flooding greater than 9 feet above the ground. Other areas along the panhandle, as well as the east coast in Jacksonville, can see storm surge flooding between 1- to- 3 feet above the ground.
“This is the real deal here with Milton,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said at a news conference. “If you want to take on Mother Nature, she wins 100% of the time.”
Crews are also rushing to clean up damage caused by Hurricane Helene, which hit the state as a Category 4 on Sept. 26.
Back in Texas
For more on our weather forecast for the Lone Star State, check out your Central Texas Forecast here.
Watch on your own time
Download the KCEN 6+ streaming app to track Hurricane Milton, including when it makes landfall. Watch how to download below.