Milton “explosively strengthens” into a Category 5 hurricane, triggering storm surge warnings for Florida's Gulf Coast

The Mexican government has issued a hurricane warning for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Celestún to Rio Lagartos.

“On the forecast track, Milton is expected to move near or just north of the Yucatan Peninsula today and Tuesday, then cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by Wednesday,” the NHC said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference Sunday that a 24-hour operation to clear debris and fallen trees from Helene was underway ahead of Milton's arrival to minimize the threat of flying objects. He said Milton was expected to make landfall in Hillsborough or Pinellas County on Wednesday evening and had issued emergency declarations for 51 counties as a precaution.

Hillsborough County issued a mandatory evacuation for evacuation zones A and B for all mobile homes and manufactured homes beginning at 2:30 p.m. Monday. These residents should be in a safe place by 7 a.m. Wednesday. Nine emergency shelters will open in mandatory evacuation zones.

Sarasota County on Monday also called for the evacuation of those in levels A and B (which include barrier islands) and in mobile or manufactured homes. Those living in Level C “should be prepared to evacuate if the storm intensifies.”

In the coastal town of Anna Maria, south of Tampa, the obligatory order begins around noon. Pinellas County has begun mandatory evacuation of long-term care facilities.

Here is a list of all evacuation orders for Florida Click here.

However, state officials emphasize that people can leave without an order. “Have a plan, execute the plan,” DeSantis said at the news conference. “You can definitely go now. You don’t have to wait until you get an evacuation order.”

Polk County, east of Tampa, has released a list of animal shelters, including three that are pet-friendly.

Many schools and colleges remain closed: All public schools in Collier County are closed Monday through Thursday.

The National Weather Service's Tampa Bay office warned that Gulf coastal counties such as Sarasota, Pinellas and Lee should expect “catastrophic wind damage.”

“Act now to complete preparations before winds become dangerous,” the office warned.

Milton is notable for its very unusual path approaching Florida from the west: since 1850, only two storms have originated in the Gulf of Campeche and reached Florida.

In addition, for the first time in recorded history, there are three hurricanes in the Atlantic at the same time: Kirk, Leslie and Miltoen.

Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on September 26, killed more than 230 people in six states.

Record warm waters, made more likely by climate change, will drive the rapid intensification of Milton as water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico remain 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit above average. In the warmer world, rapidly intensifying hurricanes are becoming more and more common.