Countdown to the impact of Hurricane Milton in Florida

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that Milton will make landfall as an "extremely dangerous major hurricane" late Wednesday or during the early hours of Thursday, depending on local time.

The impact on Florida could occur around 02:00 EDT (07:00 BST) on Thursday, agreement with a meteorologist for CBS News, the channel associated with the BBC in the United States.

Milton could hit near Tampa, a metropolitan area with more than three million inhabitants.

Weather experts have warned of heavy rain, flash flooding, very strong winds and the possibility of storm surge, where coastal water moves into inland areas.

It is estimated that Milton could be the most severe storm in hit the region in about a century, with storm surges that could reach 3 to 4.5 meters (10 to 15 feet), and rainfall accumulations of up to 45 centimeters (15 inches) in some areas.

Hurricane Milton was approximately 300 miles away (485 km) southwest of Tampa, Florida, on Wednesday morning, with sustained winds reaching 160 mph (260 km/h).

Milton formed as a hurricane category 1 on Sunday and has followed a steady eastward course through the Gulf of Mexico, having previously passed through Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Throughout its trajectory, its intensity has fluctuated, reaching more than a chance at the powerful Category 5. However, it is expected to lose some strength before making landfall in the continental United States.

The eye of the hurricane is expected to pass over the central region. West of Florida, accompanied by a significant storm surge that will affect a large area of ​​​​the state's coast before its arrival.

Forecasters warn that Hurricane Milton could also bring several tornadoes from thunderstorms scattered fires that could be triggered in central and southern Florida.

Most counties are in an official state of emergency and evacuations have been ordered along the entire west coast of Florida. Florida Disaster management authorities have issued a list and map of evacuation orders.

Several large shelters have also been prepared as a last resort for the stranded. Airports on Milton's planned route have announced closures and traffic queues have been observed as people begin to leave their homes.

It is important to remember that Milton arrives less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene will hit the United States as a category four storm, killing to more than 200 people and becoming the deadliest hurricane to hit the continental United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.