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

Milton is now a Category 4 hurricane and its outer bands will start lashing Florida's west coast by Wednesday morning.

Landfall is expected around 11 p.m. Wednesday between St. Petersburg and Sarasota, possibly as a Category 3 hurricane.

Tampa Bay is forecast to face a record-breaking storm surge of 10 to 15 feet.

Storm surge in Fort Myers could reach 6 to 10 feet.

As Milton moves over Florida, winds ahead of the system could push storm surge up to 5 feet in Jacksonville and up to 4 feet in Savannah.

Wind gusts could climb over 130 mph in the St. Petersburg area.

Up to 18 inches of rain is possible by the end of the storm.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

Hurricane Milton's maximum sustained winds were at about 155 mph early Tuesday, classifying the storm as a "powerful" Category 4 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said.

"While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida," the center said in a 1 a.m. ET update.

-ABC News' Jessica Gorman

As of its 11 p.m. ET update, the National Hurricane Center said that Hurricane Milton now has wind speeds of 165 mph, slowing down by 15 mph from earlier Monday.

The storm still poses an "extremely serious threat" to Florida, the NHC said.

It's currently moving toward the Northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, per the NHC.

It is still forecast by the NHC to weaken to a Category 3 before making landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

-ABC News Senior Meteorologist Melissa Griffin

With Hurricane Milton inching closer to Florida, President Joe Biden spoke with Gov. Ron DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor Monday night, the White House said.

"This evening, the President had separate calls with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to get a firsthand report on recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene, and to discuss preparations for Hurricane Milton," the White House said in a statement. "He asked the Governor and the Mayor to call him directly if there is anything that can be done to further support the response and recovery efforts."

Biden also spoke with director of the National Weather Service Kein Graham, who briefed him on the "expected impacts" of Milton on Florida.

Graham emphasized that "this hurricane could have major impacts and that people in the storm's path should evacuate now while there is ample time to do so," according to the White House.

-ABC News' Molly Nagel