We've just heard from the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), with its latest update on Hurricane Milton, external.

Wind speeds are currently 150mph (240km/h) with higher gusts, and the eye of the category four storm is moving across the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

It's about 520 miles (835km) south west of Tampa, Florida and is expected to make landfall on Wednesday night.

The National Hurricane Center says Milton will retain major hurricane status and "expand in size" as it approaches the west coast of Florida, and that today is the last full day for residents to get "their families and homes ready" - and evacuate if told to do so.

The update adds that the storm surge warning has extended southward, along the east coast of Florida to Port Canaveral.

It also says the government of Bahamas has issued a tropical storm watch for the extreme north western Bahamas.

As we wait for Biden's update on hurricane Milton, just a few minutes ago the White House released a statement, external on President Biden's upcoming trips to Germany and Angola.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says Biden has postponed the trips in order to oversee preparations and the response to Hurricane Milton, and the ongoing response to Hurricane Helene - which hit the southeast of the US in September.

The statement does not say when the trips will be rescheduled.

Image source, Getty Images

We're expecting to hear from President Joe Biden on the preparations the federal government is laying out ahead of Hurricane Milton's predicted landfall in Florida.

Stay with us.

As we've just reported, the hurricane will decrease in intensity but increase in size. This morning, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned this that Milton will bring "a large area of destructive storm surge" to the west coast of Florida.

This includes Tampa, one of the largest cities in the state located along Florida's Gulf Coast. Storm surge is predicted to be the worst in the Tampa Bay area, with the potential to reach 10-15 ft (3-4.5m).

The NHC is urging residents to follow local officials' evacuation orders.

Hurricane Milton is set to be a vast storm, and as of this morning had doubled in size.

That means that hurricane-force and tropical storm-force winds will reach even further across the state of Florida.

The hurricane is decreasing in intensity and is expected to make landfall as a category three storm - but since it is growing in size, it poses a threat to even more people, authorities warn.

"In some ways, it’s actually worse. It affects more people", National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan told CNN.

"You’re going to have surge, winds, heavy rainfall over an even larger area than you would if you had a smaller, maybe even more intense storm."

As we've just heard from BBC Weather's Chris Fawkes, Hurricane Milton will likely fluctuate between a category four and category five storm over the next 24 hours.

Milton is currently classed as a category four storm, with wind speeds reaching 155mph (250km/h).

Hurricanes are separated into five categories, numbered from one throughto five, based on their wind speed.

Those reaching category three and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage, according to the National Weather Service.

It is expected to weaken throughout the day on Tuesday - dropping to category three by the time it makes landfall in Florida on Wednesday night. You can see its trajectory in more detail in the map below.

Chris Fawkes
BBC Weather presenter

Hurricane Milton has undergone an "explosive intensification" and will likely fluctuate between a category four and category five storm over the next 24 hours.

The strongest winds in the centre of Hurricane Milton have come down a little to 145mph in the last few hours.

This has been caused by an “eyewall replacement cycle” whereby a ring of thunderstorms forms and surrounds the original eyewall, creating a new, larger eyewall.

This tends to slightly weaken the winds in the centre of the hurricane, while the area covered by the most devastating winds expands. Now this eyewall cycle is complete, it’s quite likely that the hurricane will strengthen a little and regain its category five status for a time.

These short-term fluctuations in wind speed are quite normal. The forecast 125mph winds at landfall Wednesday night remain unchanged.

Milton will still be a major hurricane with destructive winds, severe flooding and a huge storm surge that will cause widespread damage, especially to west central Florida tomorrow.

Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Residents of Florida are once again bracing for the impacts of a storm - less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene resulted in the death of at least 225 people, with hundreds more still missing.

But how does Hurricane Milton compare to Hurricane Helene?

Rainfall:

• Hurricane Helene hit the south-eastern US with extreme rainfall - 30.78in (782mm) recorded at Busick, North Carolina
• In contrast, Hurricane Milton will move quickly across Florida resulting in up to 15in (375mm) of rain, which is still enough to cause some severe flooding

Storm surge:

• Helene made landfall in the Big Bend coastal region of north-west Florida with a storm surge reported at over 15ft (4.5m).
• Hurricane Milton’s storm surge is forecast to be slightly lower at up to 12ft (3.7m), however the path it takes will be crucial for at-risk coastal communities.

Wind strength:

• Hurricane Helene was a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 140mph (225km/h) and was at its peak strength when it made landfall.
• At its peak, Milton is forecast to be even stronger with sustained winds around 165mph but it is expected to then weaken slightly, with sustained winds around 125mph (200km/h) at landfall.

BBC Weather's Chris Fawkes has produced this detailed comparison between Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

Image source, BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images

We’ve just been hearing from Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who has warned that the state is only “48 hours” from Hurricane Milton making landfall.

Here’s the key advice and information he had for Florida residents:

• People should use today to “finalise and execute” evacuation plans to protect their homes and families, but roads remain busy with “150%” more traffic than normal

• 51 Florida counties are now under a state of emergency as winds are forecast to reach sustained speeds of 150mph with storm surges of between 5ft and 10ft

• Clean up operations for Hurricane Helene are still ongoing, and over 8,000 Florida National Guard members have been deployed to help with preparations

• Over 11,000ft of flood protection has been laid down and an additional 1.2 million gallons of fuel are on their way to Florida

Having heard from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the state's head of emergencies, the briefing has now turned to other officials involved in preparations for Hurricane Milton's arrival.

You can continue watching this hurricane briefing from Tallahassee by clicking Watch live above.

We'll recap DeSantis' statement here in a few minutes.

More Florida officials have spoken alongside DeSantis on Hurricane Milton, we're now hearing from the executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Kevin Guthrie renews calls for residents to check their evacuation zone and to leave if a mandatory evacuation order is in place.

Guthrie warns Milton has the potential of being "not survivable."

He advises the state has an agreement in place with Lyft and Uber to provide discounts to any Floridians looking to leave for shelter. A shuttle service is also active.

"The time to evacuate is now," he reiterates while warning power outages are expected. He says people relying on medical devices might be unable to charge them and face an ulterior threat to their lives.

He adds locals should contact FEMA to ask for assistance and help remove debris.

Wrapping up, DeSantis describes how both national and local teams have been working around the clock to respond to Helene, as well as prepare for Hurricane Milton.

He stresses that there will be disruption, noting it can be “very frustrating to have your life interrupted and your possessions and home on the line.”

DeSantis adds that while it is impossible to control the storm, people are able to take steps to ensure their home and families are protected.

“We’re not going to be able to bring back people who stay behind”, he warns.

“Significant damage” will be suffered in parts of Florida, DeSantis says, before describing how parts of the storm will pass through as a hurricane.

DeSantis finishes by imploring residents to “take heed” and make plans for the hurricane now.

Image source, Reuters

DeSantis once again urges residents to move away from low-lying areas and seek shelter if they live in mobile homes or RVs.

He says locals "have options" and moving to higher ground should mean properties there are more likely to withstand the force of a Category 3 or Category 4 hurricane.

The governor confirms schools across affected areas will be shut from Tuesday and adds 36 shelters are now open and operating in counties on Hurricane Milton's path.

At least one shelter for special-needs residents is available and one shelter is pet-friendly.

DeSantis adds he doesn't expect all residents along the western coast of Florida to evacuate but most of those looking for shelter will be moving either today or tomorrow.

He also notes Category 5-proof warehouses are lined up to be used as shelters for thousands of people if necessary.

DeSantis says Florida the state is “less than 48 hours away from projected landfall”.

After praising those assisting in the preparation for Hurricane Milton, he turns his attention to evacuation plans in the area.

He describes how “202 healthcare facilities” that are in the path of the storm have been evacuated.

He urges residents to "use today to finalise and execute plan to protect you and your family".

To this end, DeSantis says traffic has already increased. The roads say “150%” more traffic than yesterday, with an average speed of 20 miles per hour.

With the state still feeling the effects of Hurricane Helene, DeSantis acknowledges that some Floridians are “still reeling” from Helene.

Continuing on the fuel supply in Florida, DeSantis says Tampa Port will not be receiving any ships as there is a widespread expectation Milton will cause the area to experience severe damage.

He says the port has fuel reserves available but local authorities warn it is likely the hurricane will cause an interruption in deliveries.

DeSantis adds operations are ongoing to remove debris still on the ground in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene last month. He says 1,200 truckloads have been cleared so far.

The Governor says 8,000 Florida National Guard members have been deployed to help with the preparations and an unprecedented 34 search and rescue aircraft are available.

He also thanks other states offering aid as Florida recovers from Helene and prepares for Hurricane Milton.

DeSantis says 37,000 out-of-state linemen are in or en route to the state to assist locals. Additionally, 40,000 power engineers are also lined up to intervene to restore power if needed.

Image source, Reuters

DeSantis goes on to say several areas are affected by different types of warnings, including for hurricanes, tropical storm warnings, and hurricane watches.

Essentially, he says, the entire peninsula of Florida is "under some type of watch or warning".

On steps being taken to prepare for the hurricane, he says more than 350 ambulances are in operation.

Adding that over 11,000ft of flood protection systems have been laid down.

As for long lines of vehicles at fuel stations, DeSantis says an additional 1.2 million gallons of diesel and gasoline are being brought to the state.

Queues for fuel will remain long, he adds, but reiterates that "27 fuel trucks" were escorted to deliver fuel to areas in need last night.

Image source, Reuters

Ron DeSantis kicks off the press conference confirming there are now 51 Florida counties under a state of emergency.

He says Hurricane Milton forecasts are consistently showing sustained winds of 150mph and meteorologists expect it to remain a major hurricane even if it weakens over coming hours.

The Florida Governor warns storm surges of between 5ft and 10ft could happen and warnings are in place across the Pasco and Pinellas county line all the way down into Manatee and Sarasota.

You can click Watch live at the top of this page to follow along with the press conference.

We’re soon expecting to hear from Florida governor Ron DeSantis, speaking on Hurricane Milton.

DeSantis, who has been governor of Florida since January 2019, will be speaking at a press conference in Tallahassee, a city in north west Florida, at 07.45 EDT (12.45 BST).

Image source, Reuters

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Tampa's mayor, Jane Castor, has issued a stark warning to residents choosing to stay in the Florida city where Hurricane Milton is expected to have a 'potentially catastrophic' impact.

In an interview on CNN yesterday, Castor had a stark warning for residents: "If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re gonna die."

She stressed that "people need to get out", adding: "This is like something that I have never seen in my life."

Officials in Florida are implementing mandatory evacuation orders across parts of the state's western coastal region and traffic is mounting due to the number of people fleeing the area.

Image source, CBS