The storm is expected to bring more wind and rainfall to a region still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane Monday on a path toward Florida population centers including Tampa and Orlando, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations less than two weeks after a catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline.

Another monster hurricane is set to strike the U.S. just two weeks after the last one. Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified to Category 5 strength on Monday, less than two days after it formed as a tropical storm over the Gulf of Mexico,