Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm, bringing devastating winds exceeding 100 mph (160 kph) to an area still recovering from Hurricane Helene. The storm hit Siesta Key, near Sarasota, on Wednesday night, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Tampa, which narrowly escaped a direct hit.
However, the Tampa area faced major emergencies, with St. Petersburg recording over 16 inches (41 centimeters) of rain, prompting flash flood warnings across western and central Florida. The powerful winds caused significant damage, including the destruction of the roof at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, and toppling multiple cranes. A water main break also left residents in St. Petersburg without tap water.
As of early Thursday, more than 3 million homes and businesses were without power across the state, according to poweroutage.us. Tornadoes had touched down before Milton even made landfall, causing destruction at the Spanish Lakes Country Club in Fort Pierce and resulting in fatalities, according to St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson.
About 125 homes, many mobile homes in senior communities, were destroyed prior to landfall. Milton was downgraded to a Category 2 storm shortly after making landfall and then to a Category 1 storm by early Thursday, with maximum sustained winds of around 85 mph (135 kph) as it moved offshore, roughly 35 miles (55 kilometers) east of Orlando. Heavy rainfall is expected to cause further flooding inland as Milton travels across the Florida Peninsula, potentially impacting Orlando.
The storm hit a region still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which caused extensive flooding and at least 230 deaths across the South. Local municipalities rushed to clear debris in anticipation of Milton’s arrival. Emergency management officials issued stern warnings for residents to evacuate, urging those still in the area to leave immediately.
Cathie Perkins, emergency management director in Pinellas County, warned residents of the dire situation: “Those of you who were punched during Hurricane Helene, this is going to be a knockout. You need to get out, and you need to get out now.” As conditions worsened, officials advised those who remained to hunker down.
Jackie Curnick, a resident in Sarasota, faced challenges in evacuating with her young family. Despite attempts to find hotel accommodations, she was unable to secure a safe escape route. “It’s so difficult to evacuate in a peninsula,” she noted, highlighting the limited options for fleeing the storm.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the deployment of extensive resources, including 9,000 National Guard members and over 50,000 utility workers from various states. He cautioned that fatalities were likely due to the storm’s intensity.
Throughout southern Florida, heavy rain and tornadoes began lashing the region on Wednesday morning, with forecasts predicting 6 to 12 inches (15 to 31 centimeters) of rain and up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) in some areas. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued across 15 Florida counties, affecting about 7.2 million residents. Officials warned that anyone who chose to stay would have to fend for themselves, as first responders would not risk their lives during the storm.
By early afternoon on Wednesday, about 1,900 flights were canceled, and major attractions like SeaWorld, Walt Disney World, and Universal Orlando closed their doors. GasBuddy reported that over 60% of gas stations in Tampa and St. Petersburg were out of fuel, prompting law enforcement to escort tanker trucks to replenish supplies.
In Gulfport, Christian Burke and his family decided to stay put in their three-story concrete home, built to withstand severe storms. Burke acknowledged the risks but felt they were prepared for the challenge.
As Hurricane Milton continued to wreak havoc, residents across Florida braced for further impacts and recovery efforts in the wake of another devastating storm.
