MIAMI — A storm system that was brewing in the Gulf of Mexico strengthened into Tropical Storm Milton on Saturday and forecasters warned it could intensify into a hurricane and slam into the west coast of Florida later this week.

Milton is forecast to rapidly intensify in the next couple of days in the Gulf of Mexico and become a major hurricane on Monday, forecasters said.

Check your evacuation zone. If Pinellas evacuates up to zone C on Monday, it will be the largest evacuation of the county since 2022′s Hurricane Ian. Even if you think you’re safe, check your zone on the Florida Department of Emergency Management website.