The rapid intensification of 70 mph during a 13-hour period over the steamy Gulf of Mexico puts Milton into the upper echelon of later-season tropical cyclones, approaching the Category 5 muscle of October 2018's Hurricane Michael and October 2005's Hurricane Wilma.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane Monday on a path toward Florida population centers including Tampa and Orlando, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations less than two weeks after a catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline.