Hurricane Milton Strikes Florida
FLORIDA – Hurricane Milton made landfall on the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm, bringing intense winds, a life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall.
Strengthened by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Milton had previously reached Category 5 twice before its impact near Siesta Key in Sarasota County. The storm’s arrival affected densely populated areas, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Fort Myers.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced a large-scale response effort, involving over 9,000 National Guard members and 50,000 utility workers while expressing concerns about potential fatalities. Officials warned residents to evacuate before the storm, emphasizing that those who stayed behind would be on their own during the peak of the hurricane.
Despite mandatory evacuation orders in 15 counties affecting 7.2 million people, some residents chose to stay due to concerns about finding safe shelter, transportation issues, or their pets. Many gas stations were out of fuel, and some bridges, including the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, were closed to traffic.
Some counties suspended emergency services as conditions worsened, and multiple tornadoes generated by the storm caused damage in areas like Palm Beach County, adding to the chaos. Inland areas faced significant flooding risks as the storm moved northeast across Florida, with up to 18 inches of rainfall expected in some locations. The storm was forecast to weaken but remain a hurricane as it crossed the state and entered the Atlantic Ocean.
Milton’s impact came only two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the region, flooding streets, destroying homes, and killing at least 230 people in the southern U.S. Many areas still dealing with Helene’s aftermath were racing to clear debris to avoid further damage from Milton’s surge.
As the storm continued to move inland, communities prepared for the worst, facing heavy rains, tornadoes, and strong winds. Authorities warned of long power outages and severe disruptions to essential services. Airlines canceled around 1,900 flights, and major attractions like Walt Disney World closed early.