Forecasters are urging people in Florida to make preparations or leave their homes today, as the National Hurricane Center confirmed that Milton is a "catastrophic Category 5 hurricane" and will hit Florida later today or early tomorrow as a major storm.

Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida's west coast, threatening the Tampa Bay area—home to more than 3.3 million residents—with potential widespread destruction. A major hurricane has not directly struck the region in more than a century.

Matthew Heller of Tampa, Florida, plans to ride out Hurricane Milton as he remains in evacuation Zone A, weeks after his home was filled with water from Hurricane Helene.