TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As Hurricane Milton approached Florida from the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded his declaration of a state of emergency from 32 to 51 counties — including Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe.

DeSantis also met with Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, at the state’s emergency operations center.

“I don’t think there’s a scenario where we don’t have a major impact at this point,” DeSantis told reporters on Sunday.

According to DeSantis, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) was preparing to operate from centers in Tampa and Fort Myers.

The Florida Department of Transportation assisted barrier islands in Pinellas and Manatee counties with additional sand and debris removal.

“If you are on the west coast of Florida on the barrier islands, just assume that you will be asked to leave,” DeSantis said.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission worked to deploy high-water vehicles, airboats, shallow-draft boats, all-terrain vehicles, larger platform vessels, four-wheel-drive vehicles, reconnaissance units and aircraft.

The Florida Highway Patrol was working to send more troopers to St. Petersburg. FHP also prepared flood rescue vehicles and drones.

“I strongly encourage you to evacuate,” Guthrie said of residents in high-risk areas.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircrew reported that the center of Hurricane Milton was rapidly strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.

Milton had maximum sustained winds of nearly 80 mph and higher gusts. It will strengthen into a major hurricane on Monday as it moves north of the Yucatan Peninsula, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Its forecast track is expected to move more rapidly northeastward on Tuesday and Wednesday, crossing the Gulf of Mexico and approaching the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by midweek.

HURRICANE SPECIALIST: Milton is stronger and is forecast to hit the west coast of Florida this week as a major hurricane

At 1 p.m., NHC reported that Milton was located about 290 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, and about 815 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida. There was a maximum sustained wind of 80 miles per hour.

NHC issued a tropical storm warning from Celestun to Cabo Catoche, meaning Milton’s impacts will be felt within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch was in effect from east of Cabo Catoche to Cancun, meaning impacts will be felt within 48 hours.

NHC meteorologists warned late Sunday that hurricane and storm surge watches could be required for parts of Florida. Florida’s forecast calls for 5 to 8 inches of precipitation with totals up to 12 inches through Wednesday night.

WEATHER AUTHORITY: Flood warning in Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe

NHC warns that rainfall brings the risk of locally significant flash flooding, urban and territorial flooding, and widespread minor to moderate river flooding, with major flooding possible.

The next NHC consultation will be at 4 p.m

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