Hurricane Milton intensifies as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida. What we know about the potentially devastating hurricane.

Not even two weeks after Hurricane Helene swamped the Florida coastline, Milton has strengthened rapidly into a major hurricane on a path toward the state. The system is threatening the densely populated Tampa metro area — which has a population of more than 3.

Salvage works remove debris from Hurricane Helene flooding along the Gulf of Mexico Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in Clearwater Beach, Fla. Crews are working to remove the debris before Hurricane Milton approaches Florida's west coast. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)