Hurricane Milton is now a Category 5 storm

Hurricane Milton has strengthened into a Category 5 storm, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Wind speeds are gusting up to 250 km/h (160 mph), aircraft data suggests. This is a breaking news update. AP’s previous story continues below.  Milton rapidly strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday and was forecast to become a Category 5 storm on a path toward Florida, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations les