SARASOTA, Fla. − Milton grew more powerful and gained hurricane status Sunday as it rolled through the Gulf of Mexico on a track that imperils areas of the Florida Peninsula still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

Milton's sustained winds reached 80 mph with "steady and rapid strengthening" forecast over the next few days, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm could become a major hurricane before possibly reaching the coast sometime Wednesday. A major hurricane means at least a Category 3 storm, which drives winds of 111 to 129 mph and can cause "devastating damage," according to the National Hurricane Center.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Sunday expanded a state of emergency to 16 more counties, meaning 51 of Florida's 67 counties are now part of the directive.

"A major hurricane is the most likely outcome," DeSantis said. "This is not a good track for the state of Florida."

The rain, which has already begun here, could reach totals of 5 to 8 inches with localized totals up to 12 inches across portions of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys through Wednesday night, hurricane center specialist Eric Blake said. The rain brings the risk of widespread minor to moderate river flooding "with flooding possible," he said.

Uncertainty about Milton's intensity and track remains, however, and the storm could hit Florida as a major hurricane or weaken, the hurricane center said.

"Regardless of the details, there is increasing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week," the hurricane center warned in an update Sunday.

Tropical Storm Milton tracker: Tropical Storm Milton tracker: Officials warn Florida residents to have 'hurricane plan'

Developments:

∎ Milton was 815 miles west-southwest of Tampa early Sunday, driving sustained winds of 80 mph. The storm was moving east at 6 mph but was expected to gain speed and turn toward the east-northeast in coming days.

∎ The White House said President Joe Biden was briefed Sunday on the storm, its potential impact on the Florida Gulf Coast, and the work FEMA is doing to preposition resources in advance of the storm.

Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist for WeatherTiger, says Helene and Milton are likely to go down as one of the most devastating one-two punches ever to hit Florida. The most recent track would put landfall somewhere between the Nature Coast and Marco Island, he wrote for the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. But he added that the exact forecast track is not crucial because impacts are going to be widespread throughout the Florida peninsula. And Milton will be a ferocious storm, building up a life-threatening wall of water over days, no matter what wind-based hurricane category Milton ultimately reaches at landfall, he wrote.

"Bottom line is nothing good is going on with Milton today, and I continue to hate that this is happening so, so much," Truchelut wrote. "We’re facing a compounded threat with few precedents in hurricane history."

Truchelet added that "we’re all exhausted already. You are, I am. That’s reality." Read more here.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, at a briefing Sunday, said evacuation orders could start being issued as soon as Monday. He warned that a “really significant storm surge” could arrive in coming days, adding that such a surge could have a more severe impact in the heavily populated Tampa Bay area than the surge in the Big Bend area of the state from Helene's landfall.

DeSantis said the impact from Milton could be extensive for Floridians far from the Gulf Coast. But he added that residents still have a few days before the storm makes landfall − and warned them not to "take their foot off the gas" on efforts to clean up debris from Hurricane Helene's wrath. Flying debris could increase the damage likely from Milton's high winds, he said.

DeSantis also said he was recalling personnel and equipment he had dispatched to North Carolina and Tennessee as part of "Operation Blue Ridge" to assist in recovery from the historic flooding that Helene brought there. Those assets will be needed at home, he said.

"It's not easy to go through this again," DeSantis said. "From an emotional perspecitve it's tough. People do get fatigued."

At least one popular Sarasota-Bradenton area restaurant, forced to temporarily close following damage from Helene on Sept. 26, is also closd again to prepare for Milton.

Tide Tables restaurant and marina is a popular waterfront eatery on the Intracoastal Waterway. During Helene, one of its docks was slammed by a boat and an entire tiki bar overlooking the water was destroyed.

On Thursday, Tide Tables was feeding its neighbors in a 55-and-older mobile home community and by Friday, Tide Tables had opened to the public. The restaurant reopened for a full day of business Saturday before announcing they would be closing again.

"We will be closing up again tomorrow in preparation for the upcoming hurricane," Tide Tables posted Saturday on social media. "Please stay safe and we will see you on the flip side! Cortez Strong." Read more here.

− Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Hurricane Center forecasters say Milton is expected to be a hurricane small in size, but there is still uncertainty about Tropical Storm Milton's intensity and track. The storm could hit Florida as a major hurricane or weaken from a number of factors.

"First, Milton is a small cyclone, and such systems can both strengthen and weaken very rapidly," hurricane center forecasters said in their published discussion Sunday. "Second, while the cyclone is going to be in a favorable environment through about 60 (hours), it will encounter strong shear and dry air" that could cause weakening.

Walt Disney World Resort was open Sunday. Disney posted a hurricane update on its Disney World weather updates and information page: “To ensure you have a magical visit to Walt Disney World Resort, we encourage you to prepare for the local climate and check the weather forecast for Central Florida. Check back for important weather updates."

The theme park, which includes Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios, created a Disney World FAQ page regarding hurricanes. Regarding cancellations and rescheduling Disney vacations, the theme park giant states this: "If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area — or for your place of residence — within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel." Read more here.

− Jennifer Sangalang

Tropical Storm Milton tracker: Major hurricane forecast to slam Florida

Accuweather forecasters, in their early Sunday reports, say they expect Milton to strengthen into a major, Category 3 hurricane before making landfall near Tampa Bay on Wednesday morning.

“This is an unusual and extremely concerning forecast track for a hurricane approaching the Tampa Bay area,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said. “This hurricane could create a life-threatening storm surge. Please make sure your family and friends in this area are prepared.”

The good news is that after crossing Florida, Milton should turn eastward over the Atlantic, the hurricane center said. Helene headed north, creating a path of death and destruction for hundreds of miles through Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, Tennesee and Virginia.

Sarasota County authorities advised residents to start securing debris from Hurricane Helene. Debris collection trucks were working "as safely and quickly as possible" to remove debris from Helene ahead of Milton.

"The impending storm presents additional challenges for our community and first responders," county officials said in a statement. "If possible, please secure debris to help prevent loose debris from becoming airborne in high winds, posing an additional danger."

Neighboring Manatee County declared another state of emergency for Tropical Storm Milton, in addition to the one that was still in effect for Hurricane Helene. Water levels in Lake Manatee were being lowered ahead of the heavy rains. "Start preparing for potential storm surge and rain impacts now," county officials advised.

Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, Taylor Ardrey, Jim Rosica and Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY