Milton Strengthens to Category 4 Hurricane, on Track to Hit Florida

Milton is forecast to strike Florida on Oct. 9.

Pinellas County residents fill sandbags at John Chestnut Park in Palm Harbor, Fla., on Oct. 6, 2024. Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images

Hurricane Milton strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center reported on Oct. 7, two days before the storm was expected to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Milton’s winds have increased to 150 miles per hour, the center’s experts said. Milton jumped two categories within hours to Category 4.