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More than 50 counties in Florida are now under state of emergency orders.

The storm is expected to weaken, but will still be a major Category 3 hurricane by the time it makes landfall in Florida late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

\"PHOTO:
NOAA
PHOTO: Hurricane Milton strengthened to a Category 5 storm on Monday as it takes aim at Florida's west coast.
>

\"If you live in a storm surge evacuation zone and you're asked to leave by your local officials, please do that,\" Michael Brennan, the director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center, told ABC News Live on Sunday. \"You don't have to drive hundreds of miles to get to a safe place, often just tens of miles to get inland, out of that evacuation zone, to a shelter, a friend or loved one's home.\"

Brennan also urged Floridians to prepare a disaster kit with several days' worth of nonperishable food, water, medicine and batteries.

\"PHOTO:
Chris OMeara/AP
PHOTO: Salvage workers remove debris from Hurricane Helene flooding along the Gulf of Mexico before Milton arrives, Clearwater Beach, Fla., Oct. 7, 2024.
>

Ahead of landfall on Monday, President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state to allow federal assistance to begin supplementing local efforts.

Flooding is expected, and storm surge is a significant threat.

A record-breaking storm surge of 8 to 12 feet is expected in the Tampa Bay area, as Floridians continue cleaning up from the 6 to 8 feet of storm surge that was just brought on by Hurricane Helene.

ABC News' Jason Volack contributed to this report.

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