Hurricane Milton updates: 16 dead across Florida in storm's aftermath

Milton, currently a Category 4 hurricane, is forecast to strengthen to a Category 5 within a few hours.

Milton is expected to weaken to a Category 3 hurricane by the time it approaches Florida Wednesday night. Landfall is expected late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Storm surge is a major threat.

A record-breaking storm surge of 8 to 12 feet is forecast for the Tampa Bay area. This comes as Floridians are still cleaning up from the record-setting 6 to 8 feet of storm surge that was just unleashed by Hurricane Helene.

Flooding is also expected.

Rain from a separate system is already drenching Fort Lauderdale and Miami on Monday and Tuesday, and then when Milton hits, more heavy rain is forecast from Tampa to Jacksonville. Locally, up to 15 inches of rain is possible in parts of Florida over the next three days.

A hurricane watch has been issued for Tampa, Orlando and Fort Myers.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

The University of Florida is canceling classes on Wednesday and Thursday due to Hurricane Milton. The school plans to reopen on Friday morning, officials said.

President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida to allow federal assistance to begin supplementing local efforts ahead of Hurricane Milton.

-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez

Milton -- currently a high-end Category 4 hurricane with 155 mph winds -- is forecast to strengthen in a few hours to a Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph winds.

The storm will then weaken slightly as it approaches Florida on Wednesday night.

Milton is forecast to make landfall Wednesday night into Thursday morning as a Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds.