Tropical Storm Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 1 hurricane and is aimed at Florida, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall in the state. The hurricane is expected to make landfall on Wednesday afternoon, with sustained winds of 80 mph drawing fuel from the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters predict that Milton will reach major hurricane status, potentially becoming a Category 3 storm. Watches and warnings for rain, wind, and storm surges are in effect for much of the west coast of Florida. Only two storms originating in the Gulf’s Bay of Campeche have struck Florida since 1850, and Milton’s current path could make it the third. Helene made landfall on Florida’s Big Bend coast 10 days ago, causing a dozen deaths in Pinellas County and damaging homes and businesses in the Tampa Bay area. Twenty-five Helene-related fatalities have been reported statewide, with at least 234 deaths across six states as a result of the storm.
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