Hurricane Milton live updates: Powerful Category 4 closes in on Florida as time to evacuate runs out

Hurricane Milton was a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds close to 155 mph as of 8 a.m. ET Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center's latest update. The storm is in the Gulf of Mexico moving northeast towards Florida at around 16 mph.

"Milton is expected to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the west-central coast of Florida," the NHC said early Wednesday. "Weather conditions are expected to begin deteriorating this afternoon."

Hurricane-force winds extend outward from Milton's center to around 30 miles, with tropical-storm-force extending out to 140 miles.

The Tampa Bay area faces the possibility of widespread destruction after avoiding direct hits from major hurricanes for more than a century.

Forecasters predicted the storm will retain hurricane strength as it crosses central Florida on Thursday on a path east toward the Atlantic Ocean. The hurricane's precise track remained uncertain, as forecasters Tuesday evening nudged its projected path slightly south of Tampa.

The Tampa area is bracing for a potentially record-breaking storm surge up to 15 feet. This would shatter the record-breaking storm surge set just two weeks ago from Hurricane Helene.

Storm surge could reach 12 feet in Fort Myers.

Because of Milton's large size, tropical storm-force winds are expected across nearly all of Florida. These winds will likely cause widespread damage to property and trees and leave millions without power for days to weeks.

The highest rain totals are expected from Tampa to Orlando to Daytona, where an extreme flash flood risk -- the highest level -- is in effect.

Five to 12 inches of rain is in the forecast; locally up to 18 inches is expected.