Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf, path headed toward Florida

Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday.

Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification and "bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to portions of the west coast of Florida next week," the hurricane center said. It is forecast to become a hurricane Sunday night and strengthen into a major hurricane over the central and eastern Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane center said.

A major hurricane is defined as a Category 3 storm or larger with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour.

As of 5 p.m. Eastern Time Saturday, Milton was centered 245 miles north of Veracruz, Mexico, and 385 miles west-northwest of Veracruz, Mexico. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was inching north-northeast at 3 mph.

Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida's west coast by the middle of the week, the hurricane center said.

The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing at least 229 people in six states and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida's Big Bend, where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost "billions of dollars" as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an emergency order on Saturday declaring a state of emergency in 35 Florida counties in preparation for possible landfall by Tropical Storm Milton. As Florida continues to rebuild after damages from Hurricane Helene, DeSantis said the state will "continue staging state assets to prepare for efficient search and rescue, power restoration, and roadway clearing."

In a news release Saturday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Milton could bring "storm surge and heavy rainfall to areas recovering from hurricanes Helene and Debby and affect areas far from the coast."

FEMA said it already had hundreds of staff in Florida assisting with Helene recovery who will also help prepare for Milton's potential arrival.

Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.

The hurricane center said rainfall totals of 5 to 12 inches are possible across the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys from Milton. Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.

Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the hurricane center said, and follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.