Major Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified earlier today into a Category 5 hurricane. As of 4 p.m., it has 180 mph winds, with hurricane-force winds extending 30 miles from the center. The storm is headed for the west coast of Florida, likely making landfall late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning around the Tampa Bay area.

The National Hurricane Center says people across Florida should take notice: Milton is still just a tropical storm off Mexico, but it's gaining strength and is expected to intensify rapidly as it move

The latest track still has Milton heading to the west coast of Florida and making landfall as a major hurricane late Wednesday into Thursday morning. Hurricane watches are in effect along the Florida Gulf Coast from Chokoloskee to the mouth of the Suwanee River, including Tampa Bay and the Dry Tortugas.

Hurricane Milton strengthened rapidly in the southern Gulf of Mexico on Monday as it skirted the northern edge of the Yucatan peninsula, home to tourist hotspots and cargo ports, with a strike expected on Florida this week.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers said Monday they will leave the area as Hurricane Milton continues its path toward the state in the Gulf of Mexico.