Hurricane Milton's projected path starting Monday, October 7, 2024. Credit: NOAA

Hurricane Milton intensified into a Category 5 storm Monday afternoon, with winds of 180 mph, before dropping back to a Category 4 storm, passing the Yucatan Peninsula. The storm is headed toward central and southwest Florida, possibly arriving Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

Hurricane and flood watches and warnings encompass the entire Florida peninsula.

The second hurricane to strike the Sunshine State in as many weeks has Florida courts rescheduling trials, hearings, mediations, and first appearances for what is being termed a historic, epic monster storm.