Hurricane Milton downgrades to Category 3 storm but still major threat to Florida

Hurricane Milton downgraded to a Category 3 Wednesday, but officials warned that it still remained a major storm and a grave threat to those on Florida’s west coast.

As the storm neared Florida’s coast, officials sounded urged residents to seek shelter inland. Heavy rain fell and winds gusted as Milton drew closer to the Tampa Bay region Wednesday afternoon.

The area is home to more than 3.3 million people and hasn’t been directly hit by a major hurricane in over a century.

Hurricane Milton has fluctuated in strength as it approached, but the National Hurricane Center is still warning it will be a major and extremely dangerous storm. Milton is expected to make landfall between 9 and 10 p.m. near Tampa Bay.