Forecasters predict Hurricane Milton is on a path to make landfall around the Tampa Bay area Wednesday as a major hurricane.

Fort Lauderdale and other cities in Broward County are outside the forecast cone for Hurricane Milton, but the storm is forecast to bring a risk of flash flooding and possible tornadoes to

It was previously forecast to make landfall near Tampa, but the latest models this taking place closer to Sarasota.

Increased storm intensity prompts Sarasota County to extend evacuation order to Level C; Riverview High School pulled from shelter list

The Category 4 storm prompted what could be Florida’s largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017, and officials say the time to prepare is running out.

Dr. Ryan Truchelut, of WeatherTiger, is tracking major Hurricane Milton and is offering running analysis ahead of a catastrophic landfall in Florida.

Hurricane Milton is headed for Sarasota and Manatee counties, causing widespread evacuations ahead of a deadly storm surge.

Milton was downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds near 120 mph, as of the NHC's 5 p.m. ET update Wednesday. The storm had been a Category 4 storm for most of the day after it briefly regained Category 5 strength on Tuesday.

Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4 hurricane, is taking aim at Florida's west coast. Landfall is expected late Wednesday night as a Category 3 hurricane. Milton is closing in as Floridians are still recovering from the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene.