Milton has strengthened into a major hurricane on a path toward Florida not even two weeks after Hurricane Helene swamped the state's coastline.

Florida’s Gulf Coast is bracing for the impact of Hurricane Milton’s winds and expected massive storm surge. The storm could bring destruction to cities and towns already reeling from Helene’s

The rapidly developing hurricane that shows no signs of stopping won’t technically become a Category 6 because the category doesn't exist at the moment. But it could soon reach the level of a hypothetical Category 6 experts have discussed and stir up arguments about whether the National Hurricane Center’s long-used scale for classifying hurricane wind speeds from Category 1 to 5 might need an overhaul.

Milton has strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane as Florida gears up for what could be its biggest evacuation in seven years

For the latest updates on Hurricane Milton's path and forecast this week, read USA TODAY's hurricane live coverage for Monday, Oct. 7. SARASOTA, Fla. − Milton grew more powerful and gained hurricane status Sunday as it rolled through the Gulf of Mexico on a track that imperils areas of the Florida Peninsula still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

"We already will be rebuilding for years because of Hurricane Helene, and that will be exacerbated by the impacts of this storm," St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said. "Remember, H