Hurricane Milton strengthened into a dangerously powerful hurricane on a path toward Florida population centers, threatening a 12-foot 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.

Pasco County is bracing for the potential impact of Hurricane Milton, and authorities are urging residents to take the threat seriously and prepare for potential disruptions. The Pasco Sheriff's Office is diligently monitoring the storm's progress and providing updates from the National Hurricane Center.

Communities from the Tampa Bay area to Sarasota and Southwest Florida could be where Milton makes landfall midweek.