Milton is forecast to cross central Florida and to dump as much as 18 inches of rain while heading toward the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National Hurricane Center. That path would largely spare other states ravaged by Helene, which killed at least 230 people on its path from Florida to the Carolinas.

Hurricane Milton is expected to slam into Florida on Wednesday, bringing with it powerful winds and storm surges.

More than 5.5 million people were urged to leave Florida’s western coast, one of the largest evacuations in state history. Some who have stayed for previous storms decided to go this time.