### Hurricane Milton Triggers Tornado Watch and Warnings Across Florida

The National Weather Service (NWS) based in Miami has issued an urgent tornado watch and several warnings as Hurricane Milton heads towards west-central Florida. Early Wednesday, the NWS confirmed multiple tornadoes, including one that crossed the I-75 highway, advising residents to seek immediate shelter.

The tornado watch, effective until 9 PM ET on Wednesday, encompasses various regions in south Florida such as Miami, Key Largo, Tampa, Port St. Lucie, Jupiter Farms, Sebring, Sebastian, Sarasota, North Port, Cape Coral, and Bonita Springs. As of now, three tornado warnings have also been issued.

Videos and photos shared on social media have shown the tornadoes increasing in size as they move through southern Florida. The NWS noted that isolated hail up to 0.5 inches in diameter and wind gusts reaching 70 mph (112 km/h) could accompany these tornadoes.

Approximately 12.6 million residents, including 2,424 schools and 170 hospitals, could be affected by these severe weather conditions. The warnings come as Hurricane Milton is predicted to double in size, described as potentially the "storm of the century." The hurricane might bring up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) of storm surge along Florida's coastline, exacerbating the recovery efforts following the recent devastation from Hurricane Helene.

Residents are urged to stay informed through official channels and take necessary precautions as Hurricane Milton approaches.