A storm system that brewed in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday has strengthened into Tropical Storm Milton. Forecasters warn it could strengthen into a hurricane heading toward Florida next week.

Tropical Storm Milton is raging about 225 miles (355 kilometers) north-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in a report at 1:25 p.m. EDT.

Although no coast watches or warnings were in effect, the hurricane center said the Florida Peninsula, Florida Keys, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and the northwestern Bahamas should monitor the system's progress.

The storm is forecast to intensify next week, posing the risk of life-threatening impacts to parts of Florida's west coast. Hurricane and storm surge warnings are expected to be in effect on Sunday. Heavy rain is expected in parts of Florida starting Sunday. The rainfall poses a risk of flash flooding, urban and regional flooding and some river flooding.

“As of late Tuesday or Wednesday, there is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula. Residents of these areas should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place and follow all advice from local officials and check back for updates to the forecast,” the center said.

Looking further east, Leslie has strengthened into a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean but poses no threat to land, forecasters said.

The storm was located about 1,170 kilometers west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands on Saturday and had maximum sustained wind speeds of 120 km/h. There were no coast guards or warnings.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Kirk remained a Category 4 major hurricane, and the system's waves hit the Leeward Islands, Bermuda and the Greater Antilles, forecasters said. The storm's waves were expected to spread to the east coast of the United States, the Atlantic coast of Canada and the Bahamas overnight Saturday and Sunday.

Meteorologists warned that the waves could lead to life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Kirk is expected to weaken starting Saturday, the center said.

Although there were no coastal warnings or watches for Kirk, the center said those in the Azores, where strong waves could occur Monday, should monitor the storm's progress.

Kirk was located approximately 1,570 kilometers east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 209 km/h.

The storms raged as rescuers searched for missing people across the southeastern United States after Hurricane Helene struck last week, leaving a trail of deaths and catastrophic damage.