Hurricane Milton Hits Florida with Devastating Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes

Florida was left reeling after Hurricane Milton tore through the state, leaving destruction in its wake. Making landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm in Siesta Key on Wednesday evening, Milton caused widespread devastation, with at least 10 lives lost. As it moved into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday morning, it left behind a trail of flooding, fierce winds, and tornadoes across the state.

Lives Lost and Communities Devastated

Authorities have confirmed that at least 10 people lost their lives due to the storm. In St. Lucie County, located on Florida’s Atlantic coast, four people were killed after tornadoes touched down in the area. Two people died in St. Petersburg, and three in Volusia County, where heavy rains and winds caused extensive damage. In Citrus County, a person tragically lost their life when a tree fell on their car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The powerful winds and flooding from Hurricane Milton caused chaos across the state. Roads were destroyed, homes were submerged in water, and debris was scattered everywhere. In some areas, residents were forced to evacuate using small boats, while others were left waiting for rescue.

Tornadoes, Flooding, and Widespread Power Outages

As the storm made its way through Florida, more than 3.3 million energy customers lost power. Across the state, about 11 million people faced the threat of severe flooding, especially in low-lying areas. One of the hardest-hit locations was St. Petersburg, which experienced 18.31 inches of rainfall. This extreme level of rain met the threshold for a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event, an incredibly rare and devastating amount of water.

In Venice Beach, Sarasota County, the storm’s winds reached an astonishing 107 mph, tearing through homes and businesses. Residents in Tampa also experienced severe damage, with Milton toppling a construction crane in the downtown area. The roof of Tropicana Field, which had been prepared as a shelter for emergency workers, was ripped off by the winds. Fortunately, the city’s mayor confirmed that there were no serious injuries or deaths reported in Tampa.

Governor DeSantis: “Not the Worst-Case Scenario”

Despite the severe damage, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shared some relief during a Thursday morning briefing. He told reporters that although Hurricane Milton was a significant storm, it was not the worst-case scenario. The storm weakened before making landfall, and the anticipated storm surge—huge waves pushed by the storm’s winds—was not as intense as previously feared. DeSantis compared it to Hurricane Helene, which struck the Southeast just 13 days earlier and caused far more catastrophic damage.

Even so, the effects of Hurricane Milton were still widespread. More than 80,000 people had to seek shelter overnight, and rescue teams worked tirelessly to help those trapped by floodwaters. As of early Thursday morning, at least 48 people had been rescued from dangerous situations.

President Biden Promises Federal Aid

President Joe Biden has been closely monitoring the situation in Florida and assured residents that help is on the way. In a statement posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), Biden confirmed that he had pre-deployed thousands of federal personnel, including more than 1,000 Coast Guard members, to assist with recovery efforts. He warned residents of hazardous conditions caused by downed power lines, debris, and road washouts and urged everyone to stay indoors until local officials declared it safe to leave.

Milton’s impact on travel was also significant, with more than 3,000 flights canceled or delayed due to the storm, as major airports across the state temporarily shut down.

Milton Moves Away, but Recovery is Just Beginning

As of Thursday morning, Milton had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, with sustained winds of 85 mph. It was located about 75 miles east-northeast of Cape Canaveral, moving east-northeast at 18 mph. According to the National Weather Service, the storm is expected to weaken rapidly as it moves away from the U.S. coast and into the Atlantic Ocean.

Though the worst of Hurricane Milton appears to be over for Florida, the recovery will take time. Families and communities now face the long process of rebuilding their homes and lives after the destruction.

A Record-Breaking Season for Hurricanes

Hurricane Milton arrived just 13 days after Hurricane Helene struck the Southeast, setting a new record for the shortest time between two major hurricanes in Florida. Helene, a much deadlier storm, claimed at least 243 lives across several states, including 25 in Florida. In addition to Florida, Helene’s destructive path caused fatalities in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, but this season has been particularly brutal, with back-to-back storms bringing unprecedented damage. As residents begin to pick up the pieces, they are reminded once again of the devastating power of nature.