Hurricane Milton devastated central Florida overnight, causing tornadoes and damaging dozens of homes. Over 3 million homes and businesses lost power. Milton began as a Category 5 hurricane but was downgraded to Category 3 by the time it made landfall and is now classified as a Category 1 storm, though it remains a serious threat. According to the National Hurricane Center, Milton had winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) when it struck Florida near Siesta Key around 8:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday. By early Thursday morning, winds had decreased to 93 mph (150 km/h). This comes just 10 days after Hurricane Helene.
Milton’s landfall brought heavy rains and destructive storms, passing about 75 km west-southwest of Cape Canaveral, where NASA’s space center is located. A flood emergency is in effect in the Tampa Bay area, including the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. St. Petersburg received 6.5 inches (16.6 cm) of rain on Wednesday, and the city is currently without potable water. Milton tore off part of the vaulted roof of Tropicana Field, a 42,000-seat baseball stadium in St. Petersburg, which was serving as a shelter for rescuers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported there.
At least two people died in a nursing home after a suspected tornado struck Fort Pierce on Florida’s east coast, according to NBC News, citing St. Lucie County’s Keith Pearson. Pearson reported that 100 homes were destroyed in the county, which endured around 17 tornadoes. Reports of casualties have also emerged along the state’s Atlantic coast, though the exact numbers remain unclear. In Palm Beach, five people were hospitalized, but authorities warn that more injuries may be discovered.
Officials in St. Lucie, on Florida’s east coast, confirmed that four people have died as a result of the tornadoes that struck the area. “First responders and utility crews are working to clear and restore damage caused by two confirmed tornadoes that struck before Hurricane Milton’s arrival,” the statement said. Forecasters had expected the eye of the storm to hit the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, which is home to about three million people. Instead, the epicenter passed through Siesta Key, a town of about 5,400 people located around 62 miles south of Tampa Bay.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had hoped that Tampa Bay would avoid major damage and a worse storm, as the hurricane made landfall before high tide. Forecasters predicted that the sea level could rise by as much as 13 feet. DeSantis also stated that Milton spawned at least 19 tornadoes, which damaged several counties and destroyed about 125 homes, mostly mobile homes. “It’s too dangerous to evacuate at this point, so you need to shelter in place and stay safe,” DeSantis said.
The mayor of Tampa stated that the storm surge predicted by forecasters did not occur, sparing the city from significant damage, but storm warnings remain in effect across the state. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had hoped that Tampa Bay would avoid major damage and a worse storm, as the hurricane made landfall before high tide. Forecasters had predicted that the sea level could rise by as much as 13 feet. DeSantis also mentioned that Milton spawned at least 19 tornadoes, damaging several counties and destroying around 125 homes, mostly mobile homes. “It’s too dangerous to evacuate at this point, so you need to shelter in place and stay safe,” DeSantis said. The mayor of Tampa reiterated that the storm surge did not materialize, preventing major damage to the city, though storm warnings continue throughout the state.
Nearly a quarter of Florida’s gas stations were out of fuel by Wednesday afternoon. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) moved millions of gallons of water, millions of meals, and other supplies, along with additional personnel, to the region. The extra help will not come from resources already committed to responding to Hurricane Helene, said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on Wednesday. “If you stay, you will die,” she warned. Millions of people evacuated Florida ahead of Milton. DeSantis stated that emergency responders were working around the clock to clear debris from Helene before Milton could scatter it into neighborhoods. Over 70,000 Floridians were in government shelters, he added. Even though Milton was downgraded, the storm still posed significant threats.
