Welcome to the news hour. Hurricane Milton will make landfall in Florida overnight

potentially as a category three storm and poses a major threat to Tampa and

other coastal cities like Fort Myers, Sarasota and St. Petersburg.

Milton's outer bands have already hit the state with heavy winds, rain and triggered a few

tornadoes. William Bringham is in West Central Florida and starts our coverage.

Even from miles offshore, Hurricane Milton warned Floridians of what's to come.

The immense storm blew fierce winds across the state

and dropped heavy amounts of rain. Earlier today, residents braced for a brutal impact, boarding up buildings and stocking up on supplies and gas.

I'm scared, but trying to prepare the best that I can at the moment.

And have you ever been through a hurricane before?

Never in my life.

I'm from upstate New York, so never experienced a hurricane, and especially to see it being

at this level.

As it churned across the Gulf of Mexico today, Milton fluctuated between category 3, 4, and 5.

Regardless, forecasters say it could be one of the most destructive storms on record.

During a virtual briefing, President Biden and Vice President Harris

pledged they would provide whatever federal support the state needs.

Moments like this, there are no red or blue states.

There's one United States of America

where neighbors are helping neighbors.

Volunteers and first responders are risking everything,

including their own lives, to help their fellow Americans.

...