Milton Strengthens to Category 5 Hurricane, US NHC Says

People move a fishing boat away from the water as Hurricane Milton advances, in Progreso, Mexico, October 7, 2024. (REUTERS/Lorenzo Hernandez)

(Reuters) - Milton has rapidly intensified into a category 5 hurricane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Monday.

Milton is located about 735 miles (1175 km) southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (250 kph), the Miami-based forecaster said.

(Reporting by Anushree Mukherjee in Bengaluru)