SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) - The WLOX First Alert Weather Team is tracking Major Hurricane Milton.

On Tuesday, Milton remained a powerful major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico near the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Milton has its sights set on Florida. A major hurricane landfall is expected by late tomorrow or early Thursday.

Places on Florida’s Gulf Coast between Cape Coral, Tampa, and Homosassa Springs are at risk for a direct hit from the core and eyewall of the storm. Life-threatening storm surge and devastating wind will threaten many parts of the Florida peninsula, especially along the coast near the direct landfall zone.

Residents in Florida should closely follow the orders from their local emergency management officials, as Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.

Milton is no threat to South Mississippi. However, Floridians should prepare for a major hurricane with significant wind impacts and devastating storm surge.

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