Much of central and south Florida could experience tropical-storm-force winds. Hurricane-force winds are likely close to the coast where landfall occurs. Gusts of 70 to 80 mph may make it all the way to the east coast of Florida as Milton re-emerges over the ocean.

Florida’s Gulf Coast braced Tuesday for the impact of Hurricane Milton’s winds and expected massive storm surge, which could bring destruction to areas already reeling from Helene’s devastation 12 days ago and still recovering from Ian’s wrath two years ago.

Milton remains on track to slam into the west coast of Florida early Thursday as a large and powerful hurricane, bringing a destructive storm surge, damaging winds and severe flooding to many of the same areas still reeling from Hurricane Helene’s devastating flooding and winds less than two weeks ago.