For the latest updates on Hurricane Milton's path and projected landfall, read USA TODAY's live hurricane coverage for Wednesday, Oct. 9. TAMPA, Fla. − Hurricane Milton regained Category 5 strength Tuesday as it barreled across the Gulf of Mexico toward the Florida Peninsula,

Forecasters are urging people in Florida to make preparations or leave their homes today, as the National Hurricane Center confirmed that Milton is a "catastrophic Category 5 hurricane" and will hit Florida later today or early tomorrow as a major storm.

Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4 hurricane, is taking aim at Florida's west coast. Landfall is expected late Wednesday night as a Category 4 hurricane.Milton is closing in as Floridians are still recovering from the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene.