As Hurricane Milton threatens the Gulf Coast, local officials are warning Miamians about the potential for heavy rain, flooding and tropical storm-force winds beginning Tuesday night. The big picture: Milton strengthened "explosively" into a Category 5 storm Monday.

Several South Florida cities are offering their residents sand and sandbags to help keep their properties dry.

The wait was nearly two hours at Tropical Park for four free bags of sand. Miami-Dade County wasn’t sure supplies would last the day.