Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, bringing devastating winds exceeding 100 mph and heavy rainfall to Florida’s Gulf Coast.
More than 1.5 million residents were reported without electricity, with the hardest-hit areas including Hardee, Sarasota, and Manatee counties, by Wednesday night.
The storm, which hit near Siesta Key at about 8:30 p.m., caused significant damage even before making landfall, destroying around 125 homes, primarily mobile residences in senior communities.
As Milton continued its path across the state, it weakened to a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 110 mph.
Residents of Tampa Bay, which has not experienced a major hurricane directly in over a century, faced severe storm surges and flash flooding.
The National Weather Service warned of rainfall totals reaching up to 18 inches in some areas, exacerbating risks of inland flooding.
Emergency services were suspended in several counties as officials cautioned those who chose to stay behind that they must rely on themselves for safety. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for 15 counties, affecting approximately 7.2 million people.
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As flight cancellations reached around 1,900, major theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando closed early, while utility crews from across the nation prepared to assist with recovery efforts once the storm passed.
Governor Ron DeSantis deployed 9,000 National Guard members and coordinated resources to ensure fuel supplies for evacuating residents.
The storm’s impact follows closely on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which had already caused significant damage and loss of life in the region.
As Hurricane Milton continues its path, communities are bracing for the possibility of further destruction and long recovery times.
