The National Hurricane Center said Monday morning Hurricane Milton had strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane.

Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday afternoon and will continue to intensify up to potentially a Category 4 major hurricane by Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Milton strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane Monday, and Florida is gearing up for what could be its biggest evacuation in seven years as the storm headed toward population centers including Tampa and Orlando.