Hurricane Milton is fast approaching the Florida coast, and the state is feeling its power well before the storm hits. On Wednesday, heavy rain and strong winds began lashing areas like Tampa Bay and Sarasota, with tropical storm-force winds already causing power outages. The threat of tornadoes also emerged, with one confirmed touchdown earlier in the day.

As the storm picks up speed, the center of Hurricane Milton is expected to hit land between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Originally, it was predicted to make landfall later in the night, but its faster pace has moved up the timeline.

Milton has weakened slightly to a Category 4 hurricane and is expected to drop to Category 3 by the time it hits. Despite this, the storm is still very dangerous. With winds strong enough to cause major damage, officials are urging people in high-risk areas to evacuate if they haven’t already.

Massive Storm Surge Predicted

One of the biggest threats from Milton is the storm surge. Waves of water as high as 10-15 feet could hit areas south of the storm’s eye when it makes landfall. This is taller than most one-story houses, which means flooding could be life-threatening.

Governor Ron DeSantis issued a stern warning to those who chose to stay in their homes, especially on barrier islands. “If you’re going to stay, know that with 10 feet of storm surge, you can’t just hunker down,” he said. “This storm is pushing massive amounts of water, and if you’re in the eye or to the south, you’re going to get hit hard.”

Even in areas like Tampa Bay, the water is expected to rise 3-5 feet. Cities along the coast will likely see flooding, and with debris from previous storms like Hurricane Helene still lying around, officials are concerned that these objects could become deadly projectiles in the high winds.

Widespread Effects Across Florida

Milton’s impacts won’t stop at the coast. After landfall, hurricane-force winds will spread across the state, reaching even the east coast by Thursday morning. However, behind the storm, conditions will improve quickly. Rain will taper off, and less humid air will follow.

For now, though, Floridians are doing everything they can to prepare for Hurricane Milton’s landfall. As the storm nears, the message from authorities is clear: take the warnings seriously, and stay safe.