Hurricane-force wind gusts batter the Gulf coast of Florida.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported on Wednesday that hurricane-force winds are battering the Gulf coast of Florida, with gusts of up to 124 km/h (77 mph) recorded at the entrance of Tampa Bay, and sustained winds of 93 km/h (58 mph).

The NHC reported on the social media platform X that gusts of 106 km/h (66 mph) were also recorded at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, indicating that the effects of the cyclone are intensifying in that area.

The monitoring center indicated that intense rains are affecting the central peninsula of Florida and warned that dangerous storm surges, damaging winds, and torrential rainfall will continue overnight in parts of the central and southwestern regions of the state.

It was noted that the system, currently moving to the northeast at 24 km/h (15 mph), maintains maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h (120 mph), which still poses a significant threat to coastal communities in the region.

In a previous bulletin, the NHC warned that although Hurricane Milton had downgraded to category 3, with sustained winds of 200 km/h, it would continue to be a powerful and damaging cyclone.

The monitoring center reported on the social network X that multiple tornado warnings had been issued that could impact the Florida peninsula, highlighting the seriousness of the situation as Hurricane Milton continues to batter the region.

The prominent meteorologist John Morales indicated on the social network X that Milton might be starting to weaken: "Beginning of its terminal weakening phase. The minimum barometric pressure is rising rapidly."

Previously, a drone managed to capture giant waves over eight meters (28.12 feet) while it was just 60 kilometers from the center of Hurricane Milton, showcasing the devastating power of the cyclone as it approached Florida.

The Tampa police warned on Wednesday that, although evacuation is the recommended measure, those who decide not to do so should write their name and date of birth on their arm as a precaution.

"To those who do not evacuate voluntarily, I recommend that you take a photo of yourself, that you take a photo of your clothing to be able to identify you when the storm passes, which will be deadly," said Rose Angelakopoulos, a police officer in Tampa, to the popular communicator Enrique Santos.

... News in progress ...