Hurricane Milton Wreaks Havoc in Florida

Hurricane Milton has wreaked havoc across Florida’s coastal regions, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. The storm has caused extensive damage to homes, inundated roads, and left millions without power.

Governor's Statement

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the media, stating that while the destruction from the Category 3 hurricane is significant, “this was not the worst-case scenario” many had feared. He assured residents that evaluations of the damage were ongoing. “We will better understand the extent of the damage as the day progresses,” he added.

Storm's Impact and Statistics

Milton made landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County late Wednesday, with maximum sustained winds recorded at 120 mph, as reported by the National Hurricane Center. Eyewitness accounts and footage from the storm’s aftermath reveal fallen trees, submerged vehicles, and severely damaged infrastructure throughout various cities. Aerial views from drone footage over Tampa Bay's iconic Tropicana Field showed extensive damage to the building's roof.

Power Outages and Casualties

As of Thursday morning, more than 3.3 million residents across Florida were without electricity, according to the tracking site poweroutage.us. The storm's devastating effect was felt particularly in St. Lucie County, where at least four fatalities have been reported due to tornadoes spawned by the hurricane.

Storm Downgraded

Only 90 minutes post-landfall, Milton was downgraded to a Category 2 storm, and by early Thursday, it had further weakened to a Category 1 storm with winds of around 85 mph (135 km/h) as it exited the state near Cape Canaveral.

Ongoing Hazards

Despite the storm’s retreat, officials warn of ongoing hazards from the storm's remnants. The National Weather Service is urging residents to be vigilant about downed power lines and compromised structures. They cautioned against the dangers of floodwaters, advising individuals to avoid driving through flooded areas, as it only takes a small amount of moving water to sweep vehicles away.

Recovery Efforts

As the state begins to assess the full impact of Hurricane Milton, recovery and restoration efforts are set to commence. Emergency services are mobilizing to assist those affected, and communities are coming together to support each other in this challenging time.

Conclusion

Stay tuned as we cover the recovery efforts and hear from residents impacted by this formidable hurricane.