TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spoke Wednesday as thousands of residents along and near the Gulf Coast brace for Hurricane Milton.

Several state officials joined DeSantis during the press conference from the state’s capitol.

The governor said there have been 116 tornado warnings and 19 confirmed touch downs in Florida due to Milton.

Hurricane Milton’s northern eyewall is moving ashore near Tampa and St. Petersburg, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall along the Florida Gulf Coast as a “dangerous major hurricane,” the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday.

The system is moving ashore on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Milton weakened to a Category 3 hurricane and currently has winds of 120 mph.

Milton’s arrival has left many residents along the Sunshine State’s west coast with anxiety-filled emotions as the region, especially the Tampa Bay area, is still recovering from the catastrophic damage left behind by Hurricane Helene after the Category 4 storm made landfall nearly two weeks ago.