FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane Monday on a path toward Florida population centers including Tampa and Orlando, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations less than two weeks after a catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline.

Milton has exploded in strength in the Gulf of Mexico and is now a Category 3 major hurricane packing sustained winds of 120 mph with higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Center. The hurricane is forecast to reach at least Category 4 strength early this week as it tracks east across the Gulf toward Florida.