Milton strengthens to Category 4 hurricane as Florida prepares for evacuations

Atlantic storm Milton strengthened Monday to a Category 4 hurricane with maximum wind speeds of 125 mph in the Gulf of Mexico and is taking aim at Florida's Gulf Coast where residents are preparing for evacuations.

Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference the storm is expected to make landfall in his state Thursday.

The hurricane, as of Monday morning, is off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and moving northeasterly. 

A hurricane warning has been issued for the peninsula, according to the Associated Press.

Tampa and Orlando are in the storm's likely path. Waters could reach as high as 12 feet in Tampa Bay so mass evacuations are expected there.

Homeowners were seen boarding up their properties in Palm Harbor, Florida on Sunday, according to Getty Images photos. Residents were also spotted filling up sand bags in preparation for the storm.

Shelves were bare in Kissimmee, Florida on Sunday at stores such as Costco.