As Hurricane Milton intensified on its path toward Florida's Gulf Coast, the strength of the system increased the severity of the storm surge forecast.

The Category 5 Hurricane Milton was expected to grow larger on Tuesday as it threatened Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on its way to Florida, where more than a million people were ordered to evacuate from its path.

Hurricane Milton isn’t expected to directly affect the tri-state area, but with so much of Florida’s heavily populated cities, including Tampa and Orlando, in its path, many residents locally have expressed concern for families and friends in the south.