Hurricane Milton strengthened as it churned through the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida on Tuesday and could wallop one of the state’s major population centers with huge storm surges, lashing rain and destructive winds just two weeks after deadly Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline.

Hurricane Milton batters Florida and more than 3 million are without power Authorities are assessing damage even as the region continues to get heavy rains and wind Airports in Florida are affected and operations to remain impacted Flooding emergencies remain in effect Milton moving off coast of eastern Florida Hurricane Milton hits some of the same areas that Hurricane Helene affected only weeks earlier.