Heart-stopping footage shows plane withstand extreme turbulence while flying through Hurricane Milton

Incredible footage shows the moment intense turbulence hits a plane full of storm hunters flying through the eye of the powerful Hurricane Milton.

Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) posted footage of their 8 hour flight through the powerful storm when they hit extreme turbulance over the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. They were collecting data from Milton, which reached a terrifying Category 5 , and will likely remain a significant hurricane upon its expected landfall late Wednesday.

The group of fearless researchers were onboard the aircraft "Miss Piggy" conducting research which helps scientist predict the hurricane's path and future strength. At one point the plane was captured shaking violently while researchers hold on and try to catch personal items thrown around the plane.

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But fortunately, the researchers made it through the rough turbulence. They amazingly penetrated the eye of the storm three times.

"These flights collect critical data that helps improve forecasts and support hurricane research," the NOAA tweeted. Vice President Kamala Harris thanked NOAA for their important work. "Thank you to the meteorologists, researchers, scientists, and everyone at NOAA working around the clock to provide essential data as we prepare for Hurricane Milton," she wrote.

Hurricane Milton is currently barreling towards Florida's west coast, threatening catastrophic damage. Tampa Bay, with a population exceeding 3.3 million, is bracing for potential havoc, having dodged direct hits from major hurricanes for over 100 years.

As of early Wednesday, Milton was roughly 360 miles southwest of Tampa, with winds of 160 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters anticipate the storm maintaining its hurricane status as it traverses central Florida on Thursday, heading eastward to the Atlantic.

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However, the exact trajectory of the hurricane is still up in the air, with Tuesday evening predictions shifting the path slightly south of Tampa. In anticipation of Milton's arrival, thousands have jammed Florida's highways trying to escape, but the window for evacuation is closing fast on Wednesday.

Tampa's Mayor Jane Castor highlighted the severity of the situation, pointing out that the predicted storm surge of up to 15 feet could engulf entire homes. Authorities have cautioned that those who choose to remain are on their own, as emergency services will not jeopardize their safety conducting rescues during the storm's peak.