Hurricane Helene reached Category 5 strength on Monday as the storm moves over the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to make landfall in Florida later this week.

The National Hurricane Center posted to X just before noon ET that data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that Milton had intensified to Category 5 status with maximum sustained winds estimated to be 160 miles per hour with higher gusts.

A Category 5 hurricane is the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, which is based on a storm’s sustained wind speed. With such a powerful storm, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), “catastrophic damage” will occur.

…MILTON RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES INTO A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE…

Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Milton has strengthened to a category 5. The max sustained winds are estimated to be 160 mph with higher gusts. https://t.co/dv1LkCViaN pic.twitter.com/zUwi2CNJhi

— National Hurricane Center (@NWSNHC) October 7, 2024

The National Hurricane Center said in a 10 a.m. discussion post that Hurricane Milton was undergoing “remarkable rapid intensification,” but explained the storm would encounter a “much less favorable environment” that would promote weakening before it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast.

“However, the system is still likely to be a large and powerful hurricane at landfall in Florida, with life-threatening hazards at the coastline and well inland,” the National Hurricane Center added. “Key Messages” in the post warned of the possibility of storm surge, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding.

Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 51 counties. President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration, making federal resources more readily available to assist with response efforts. Evacuation orders have been given in counties throughout the southwest part of the Sunshine State.

Hurricane Milton has strengthened into a major hurricane and is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida as soon as Wednesday evening. @FLSERT is addressing more than 600 resource requests from communities in the storm’s path. We are deploying truckloads of food and… pic.twitter.com/M6V76oibn8

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 7, 2024

Landfall could happen by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, although the reach of the storm extends far beyond the center. The National Weather Service said that if the hurricane stays on its current track, it will be the “worst storm” to impact the Tampa area in more than 100 years. Millions of people live in the region.

10/07/24 11am Major Hurricane Milton Update
⚠️Now a Category 5 Hurricane
⚠️If the storm stays on the current track, it will be the worst storm to impact the Tampa area in over 100 years.
⚠️Please evacuate if told to do so.
⚠️Complete all prep before tomorrow night. #flwx pic.twitter.com/Cq9tJsfr2A

— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) October 7, 2024

Hurricane Helene hit Florida as a “major” Category 4 hurricane less than two weeks ago, and its remnants swept across Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia. At least 232 people died, towns were destroyed, and millions of people lost power, cell phone service, and running water. Recovery efforts are still underway, with a great deal of scrutiny being placed on the federal response.

The Atlantic hurricane season is ramping up just weeks ahead of the 2024 presidential election, in which former President Donald Trump faces Vice President Kamala Harris in the White House race. Trump has criticized the federal response to Helene while taking jabs at President Joe Biden and Harris. All three of them have visited states that were struck by the storm in recent days.