Storm systems capable of generating tornados have started to sweep across the southern Florida peninsula as Hurricane Milton rapidly approaches the Sunshine State, the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning.

The powerful, Category 4 storm was spinning northeast at 17 mph about 190 miles off the coast of Tampa Wednesday morning with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph.

Milton will “remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane” when it makes landfall Wednesday night along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The storm will hold steady at hurricane strength while moving across the Florida peninsula through Thursday and weaken as it moves over the western Atlantic Ocean.

Storm surges up to 15 feet are expected to inundate some parts of the coastline, though the heavily populated Tampa Bay area may see up to 12 feet as the storm’s path has shifted slightly south.

Areas from Anna Maria Island to Boca Grande may see up to 15 feet of surge, according to the center.

“The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the south of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” the center said.

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