Hurricane Milton strengthened rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico on October 6, posing a growing threat to Florida's western coast after bringing heavy rains to Mexico, meteorologists warned.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Milton, which began as a tropical storm, had intensified into a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometres per hour.

As of midday on October 6, Milton's eye was located 355 kilometres northeast of Cabo Rojo in the Mexican Gulf Coast state of Veracruz and 465 kilometres northwest of Puerto Progreso on the Yucatan Peninsula. The storm is moving eastward at 9 kilometres per hour, with forecasts suggesting it could reach Category 4 strength by October 8.

"Milton is expected to continue to rapidly intensify," said Bryan Norcross, a hurricane specialist at FOX Weather. "We're preparing for the largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 51 counties ahead of Milton's potential landfall, which is expected on October 9. The storm's projected path would bring it near Florida's Big Bend region by midweek.

"I urge Floridians to finalise your storm preparations now; enact your plan," said Kevin Guthrie, Florida's Emergency Management Director. "I highly encourage you to evacuate."

The approaching hurricane has raised concerns about potentially life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and torrential rain. Authorities warned that storm surge levels could exceed those seen during Hurricane Helene, which struck the region recently.

Earlier, Milton lashed Mexico's Gulf Coast with heavy rainfall and strong winds. The Mexican National Water Commission (Conagua) issued alerts for "very heavy to intense rains and thunderstorms" across the country's northeast, east, south, and southeast, including the Yucatan Peninsula.

Milton's rapid intensification comes as the US Southeast continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which claimed at least 227 lives across several states last week. Helene was the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland US since Katrina in 2005.

As Milton approaches, emergency management officials have activated response plans and are urging residents in potentially affected areas to monitor local advisories and prepare for possible evacuation orders.