"Tropical Storm Helene, now formed, is projected to intensify. As always, Florida will prepare for the worst and hope for the best," he wrote on X. "Stay tuned to local and state emergency recommendations and alerts. Get preparations in place now for the storm and heed evacuation directives, if issued, from local officials."

Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, Wednesday night. The storm is on track to rake across the Florida peninsula after landfall and head into the Atlantic Ocean. Maps show Milton is expected to flood parts of Florida's Gulf Coast with storm surge as high as 9 to 13 feet.