Hurricane Milton intensifies with latest advisory. Here's what Floridians can expect.

MIAMI - Hurricane Milton is barreling through the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday as a powerful Category 5 storm. It is continuing on its path toward the west coast of Florida, where it is expected to make landfall early Thursday.

"Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida," the National Hurricane Center said Tuesday night.

"This is a life-threatening situation. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials."

With the 11 p.m. advisory, Milton was packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and was about 405 miles from Tampa. It was moving east-northeast at 12 mph.

"The official forecast shows the hurricane and tropical storm-force winds roughly doubling in size by the time it makes landfall," the hurricane center said.

Maps shows watches and warnings

All of Florida, except for the Pandhandle, are under a warning or watch.

A hurricane warning is in effect on Florida's west coast from Bonita Beach northward to Suwanne River, including Tampa Bay, and Florida's east coast from the St. Lucie/Martin county line to Ponte Vedra Beach.

A hurricane watch covers Dry Tortugas west of the Keys, Lake Okeechobee, Florida's west coast from Chokoloskee to south of Bonita Beach, Florida's east coast from north of Ponte Vedra Beach to the mouth of St. Mary River, Florida's east coast from the St. Lucie/Martin county line to the Palm Beach/Martin county line.

Miami-Dade and Broward are under a tropical storm warning that extends on Florida's southeast coast from Flamingo in Everglades National Park to the Indian River/St. Lucie County Line.  A tropical storm warning also includes the Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee, Florida's west coast from Flamingo to south of Bonita Beach and north of Suwanee River to Indian Pass, Florida's east coast south of the St. Lucie/Martin county line to Flamingo, north of Ponte Vedra Beach to Altahama, Ga.

Landfall timeline

When Milton grew into a Category 5 storm on Monday with 180 mph maximum sustained winds, it became one of the strongest hurricanes by wind speed in the Atlantic Basin. There have only been five Atlantic hurricanes on record with wind speeds higher: Allen in 1980 with 190 mph winds, Dorian in 2019 with 185 mph winds, Wilma in 2005 with 185 mph winds, Gilbert in 1988 with 185 mph winds and the Labor Day Hurricane in 1935 with 185 mph winds.

Milton is expected to weaken to a Category 3 when it makes landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast by early Thursday. The most likely path suggests it could make landfall in or near the Tampa Bay area.

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 51 counties ahead of Milton's expected landfall. In the state of emergency bulletin , DeSantis included Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.

Dangerous storm surge expected

Forecasters warned of dangerous storm surge. Tampa Bay, as well as the Anclote River to Englewood, Florida, could see storm surge as high as 15 feet. Charlotte Harbor and Englewood to Bonita Beach could see as much as 12 feet of surge, and  Chassahowitzka to Anclote River to 10 feet.

"The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the south of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves," the hurricane center said.

"Rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches, with localized totals up to 18 inches, are expected across central to northern portions of the Florida Peninsula through Thursday," the hurricane center said. "This rainfall brings the risk of considerable flash, urban  and areal flooding, along with the potential for moderate to major river flooding."

Milton will also produce rainfall totals 2 to 4 inches across the Florida Keys through Thursday.

The ongoing rounds of showers and storms will prime Florida soils for what will likely be an increasing flood risk set to continue into the week ahead.

How will Milton impact South Florida?

South Florida is receiving a "one-two punch" with the system. A weaker and non-tropical area of low pressure began to swing through on Sunday and continued on Monday, bringing South Florida's first round of heavy rain and some flooding. On Tuesday, there was a slight break with only a few storms across the area.

The second "punch" will be brought as Milton approaches Florida on Wednesday. The storm is expected to bring more heavy rain and windy weather.

Depending on its track, Milton could bring tropical storm conditions early Wednesday for most of South Florida.

For now, South Florida's main threat continues to be the risk of rainwater flooding, with 4 to 7 inches or more looking likely across the area.

South Florida remains under a flood watch through Thursday.