MIAMI, Oct 7, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Hurricane Milton intensified rapidly on Monday, with dangerous winds and life-threatening storm surges forecast for Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula before the storm is set to slam into Florida by Wednesday.

"Milton is now a Category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kmh," the US National Hurricane Center said.