Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 3 storm, made landfall on Florida’s west coast on Wednesday night, leaving nearly 3 million homes without power and causing severe damage. The storm, which was earlier classified as a Category 5 while over the Gulf of Mexico, weakened slightly before hitting the Sarasota area at around 8:30 pm ET, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Hurricane Milton Strikes Florida
The impact was widespread, with deadly storm surges and strong winds affecting several cities along the Gulf coast, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Fort Myers. Many areas experienced catastrophic flooding, and the city of St. Petersburg reported over 16.6 inches of rainfall.
Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 51 of the state’s 67 counties. The storm surge was expected to reach up to 13 feet in some areas, and the combination of high winds and flooding caused extensive property damage, especially to mobile homes. Approximately 125 homes were destroyed by tornadoes spawned by the storm.
Governor DeSantis urged residents in affected areas to stay indoors, stating that it was now too dangerous to evacuate safely. Many parts of the state were placed under a flash flood emergency, and authorities warned people to be cautious of rising waters and possible structural damage.
The NHC warned residents to expect further heavy rainfall, flash floods, and dangerous wind conditions as the storm moves across the state. It is expected to pass through Orlando before moving into the Atlantic Ocean.
President Joe Biden described the storm as “the storm of the century” and urged everyone in its path to prioritize safety and follow local authorities’ guidance. He also criticized misleading claims about federal recovery funds, urging people to focus on accurate safety information during this critical time.
Hurricane Milton is the second major storm to hit Florida in less than two weeks, following Hurricane Helene, which struck the panhandle area and caused widespread damage. Many areas that were still recovering from Helene’s impact are now dealing with Milton’s devastation.
Milton’s powerful winds and storm surge caused damage to infrastructure, uprooted trees, and toppled power lines. Authorities are working to assess the full extent of the damage and restore power as soon as conditions allow. Emergency crews are also on standby to help residents trapped by flooding.
