Millions of Florida residents are fleeing their homes as the state braces for the impact of Hurricane Milton.

The now Category Four storm has been moving across the Gulf of Mexico, with experts suggesting the hurricane could bring more destruction to parts already devastated by Hurricane Helene almost two weeks ago.

Nearly all of Florida's west coast was hit with a hurricane warning early on Tuesday as the storm, along with its 250km/h winds moved towards the state at a speed of 14km/h.

Although Hurricane Milton was downgraded to a Category Four hurricane, forecasters have still urged residents to be aware that there is "an extremely serious threat to Florida".

Orlando meteorologist Noah Bergen said Milton is the fifth strongest hurricane ever recorded by pressure, adding: "This hurricane is nearing the mathematical limit of what Earth's atmosphere over this ocean water can produce."

The hurricane is poised to make landfall Wednesday in the Tampa Bay region, which has been free from a direct hurricane hit for over a hundred years.

Ahead of the storm making landfall, evacuation orders were issued, with anyone opting to stay being to they should expect to cope on their own as first responders will not be expected to risk their lives rescuing them.

A local mayor warned anyone who remains that they "will die". While speaking with CNN's Kaitlan Collins, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said: "I can say this without any dramatisation whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die."

Follow live updates below or check out the latest breaking news on our homepage.