As Hurricane Milton continues to barrel across the Gulf of Mexico, Florida residents and city officials have started preparations to brace for the storm's landfall this week. The National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Milton has strengthened to a Category 5 storm Monday morning, with max sustained winds estimated to be around 160 mph with higher gusts. The storm is projected to make landfall on Florida's west coast Wednesday evening, but weather conditions could intensify across the state as early as Tuesday and last throughout Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.