A Potentially Historic Big Storm Is Headed Toward Landfall in Florida

Early on Wednesday, Hurricane Milton, a strong Category 5 storm, was barreling over the Gulf of Mexico and headed for Florida's central west coast, where widespread evacuations clogged traffic as residents prepared for a possibly historic impact.

Milton is a historic storm for the west coast of Florida

It is expected to land somewhere early on Thursday or Wednesday night.

Less than two weeks ago, some communities—like those in and around the Tampa Bay area—were still in shock from Hurricane Helene.

The National Hurricane Center stated early on Wednesday that although there may be fluctuations in strength as Milton proceeds across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, it is predicted to become a hazardous major hurricane when it approaches the west-central coast of Florida. 

Milton was described as "a historic storm for the west coast of Florida" by the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay, and it could turn out to be the worst storm to hit the area in almost a century.

Related: People in the Tampa Bay Area Flee as Milton Aims for Florida