Hurricane Milton moved through central Florida overnight, spawning tornadoes and destroying dozens of homes. More than 3 million homes and businesses were left without power.
Milton started out as a Category 5 hurricane, but by the time it made landfall, meteorologists had downgraded it to a Category 3, and is now considered a Category 1 hurricane, though it still poses a significant threat.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Milton had winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) when it reached Florida around 8:30 p.m. local time Wednesday near Siesta Key. By early Thursday, winds had dropped to 93 mph (150 km/h).
Florida braces for Hurricane Milton 10 days after Hurricane Helene
Milton’s move across land was accompanied by heavy rains and destructive storm surges. The storm passed about 47 miles (75 km) west-southwest of Cape Canaveral, home to NASA’s Space Center.
A flood emergency is in effect for the Tampa Bay area, including the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. St. Petersburg has already received 6.5 inches (16.6422 mm) of rain on Wednesday. The city is reported to be out of drinking water.
Milton ripped off part of the domed roof of the 42,000-seat Tropicana Field baseball stadium in St. Petersburg. According to local media, the stadium was being used as a shelter for rescuers, but there were no injuries.
At least two people have died in a nursing home after a suspected tornado in Fort Pierce on the east coast of Florida, NBC News reported, citing St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson. Pearson said 100 homes were destroyed in the county, which was hit by about 17 tornadoes.
There are also reports of casualties along the Atlantic coast of the state, but it is unclear what the numbers are. In Palm Beach, five people were hospitalized, but officials there are warning that more will be injured.
Officials in St. Lucie County, on the east coast of Florida, have confirmed that four people have died as a result of tornadoes that struck the area. “First responders and utility crews are working to clean up and restore damage caused by two confirmed tornadoes that touched down prior to the arrival of Hurricane Milton,” the statement said.
Forecasters had expected the eye of the storm to hit the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, home to about three million people. Instead, the epicenter passed through Siesta Key, a town of about 5,400 people about 62 miles south of Tampa Bay. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he hopes Tampa Bay will avoid major damage and that the worst of the predicted storm surge will be avoided because the hurricane will make landfall before high tide. Forecasters predict sea levels could rise as much as 13 feet.
DeSantis said Milton also spawned at least 19 tornadoes that caused damage in many counties and destroyed about 125 homes, most of them mobile homes.
“It’s too dangerous to evacuate at this point, so you need to find shelter where you are and just hunker down,” DeSantis said.
Tampa’s mayor said the storm surge predicted by forecasters didn’t happen, sparing the city significant damage, but storm warnings are still in effect across the state.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he hopes Tampa Bay will avoid major damage and that the worst of the predicted storm surge will be avoided because the hurricane will make landfall before high tide. Forecasters predict sea levels could rise as much as 13 feet.
DeSantis said Milton also spawned at least 19 tornadoes that caused damage in many counties and destroyed about 125 homes, most of them mobile homes.
“It’s too dangerous to evacuate at this point, so you need to find shelter where you are and just hunker down,” DeSantis said.
Tampa’s mayor said the storm surge predicted by forecasters didn’t happen, sparing the city significant damage, but storm warnings are still in effect across the state.
Nearly a quarter of Florida’s gas stations were out of gas Wednesday afternoon.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has moved millions of gallons of water, millions of meals, other supplies and additional personnel to the area. The additional aid will not come from resources already reserved for Hurricane Helene, agency Administrator Deanne Criswell said Wednesday.
“If you stay, you will die.” Millions of people evacuated from Florida ahead of Milton
DeSantis said emergency responders are working 24 hours a day to clean up Helene’s debris before Milton can spread it across neighborhoods.
More than 70,000 Floridians are in government shelters, she said. Even though Milton was.
