Hurricane Milton reaches Category 5 strength on approach to Florida

Milton, a top-tier Category 5 hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico, is intensifying at near-record speed as it churns toward the west coast of Florida.

The storm is expected to make landfall Wednesday or early Thursday as a “large and powerful hurricane,” according to the National Hurricane Center.

It is predicted to produce a potentially devastating ocean surge over 10 feet in some areas, including perhaps in flood-prone Tampa Bay.Milton is the strongest Gulf of Mexico hurricane this late in the year since at least 1966 and the strongest in any month since Rita in 2005.

It is tied as the fourth-strongest Atlantic or Gulf hurricanes on record based on its peak winds.Only 48 to 60 hours remain before Milton is set to arrive in Florida.

Landfall now looks to be Wednesday afternoon or evening, and the storm — despite some weakening — is anticipated to remain a major hurricane with winds around 120 mph when it strikes the state’s west coast.

Moreover, Milton’s wind field will expand, meaning the storm will more efficiently be able to pile water against the coastline. The National Hurricane Center is warning of a surge of 5 to 10 feet along much of the Gulf Coast of Florida’s peninsula, with locally up to 8 to 12 feet — including in Tampa Bay.