The southeastern U.S. state of Florida is preparing for its largest evacuation since 2017 as Hurricane Milton intensified in the Gulf of Mexico on its path toward Florida’s western coast, coming on the heels of the devastating Hurricane Helene.

The Miami-based U.S. National Hurricane Center says Milton, which strengthened from a tropical storm on Sunday, was projected to make landfall on Wednesday morning, most likely hitting near the heavily populated Tampa Bay area.

The new hurricane has the potential to affect areas already hit hard by Helene, which made landfall further north on the coast on September 26.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared 51 of the state's 67 counties under a state of emergency, predicting Milton could have "major, major impacts," with storm surges of up to six meters.

"If you are somebody that is in a very vulnerable part of the West Coast of Florida that would be susceptible to storm surge, you certainly can leave now. You don't have to wait to get an evacuation order," DeSantis told reporters Sunday evening.

About 7 million people were urged in 2017 to evacuate Florida during Hurricane Irma.

The exodus jammed freeways and led to hours-long lines at gas stations.

It also left evacuees frustrated and, in some cases, vowing never to evacuate again.

Building on lessons learned from previous storms, Florida is staging emergency fuel and charging stations for electric vehicles along evacuation routes.