Those speeds increased by 95 mph in 24 hours and by 130 mph in 36 hours.  The storm, now about 650 miles from Tampa, rapidly strengthened from Category 2 to 5 in just a few hours Monday. By Tuesday,

Milton continues to intensify as a powerful Category 5 major hurricane, with Hurricane Warnings now posted for much of Central Florida. The 5 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center has winds of 180 mph, making Milton an intense Category 5 major hurricane.

Not even two weeks after Hurricane Helene swamped the Florida coastline, Milton has strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane on a path toward the state.