The Latest: Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 as Florida prepares for evacuations
Milton has rapidly strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming a Category 5 storm Monday on a path toward Florida. The major hurricane threatens to bring dangerous storm surge to Tampa Bay and is setting the stage for potential mass evacuations. Milton looms in the Gulf less than two weeks after a catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline and killed more than 230 people.
