A special 9 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center has confirmed that Hurricane Milton has strengthened into a Category 4 storm. Hurricane Milton Now a Category 4 Storm Based on the most recent cone map,

Milton has strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane as Florida gears up for what could be its biggest evacuation in seven years

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Hurricane Milton has rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane 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

Milton increased to a Category 2 hurricane early Monday as Florida gears up for what could be its biggest evacuation in seven years as the storm heads toward major population centers including Tampa and Orlando.

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.”

Milton grew into a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph) over the southern Gulf of Mexico.