Milton is expected to plow ashore late Wednesday or early Thursday and remain fairly strong as it crosses Florida. The system could bring towering storm surges and the power to turn debris from Hurricane Helene into dangerous projectiles.

Hurricane Milton, which reached Category 5 strength Monday, is heading right for Florida’s west coast, with a potential landfall near or at Tampa Bay.

Hurricane Milton is threatening the Tampa Bay area, which is home to more than 3.3 million people and has managed to evade a direct hit from a major