Hurricane Milton made a devastating landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm, bringing with it a destructive combination of intense winds, a life-threatening storm surge, and torrential rainfall.
The storm, which had briefly reached Category 5 status twice before its impact near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, battered densely populated areas including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Fort Myers.
Governor Ron DeSantis activated a massive response effort, deploying over 9,000 National Guard members and 50,000 utility workers while expressing deep concern about the potential for fatalities.
Officials issued urgent warnings to residents to evacuate before the storm, emphasizing that those who remained would be on their own during the height of the hurricane. Despite mandatory evacuation orders for 7.2 million people across 15 counties, many residents chose to stay behind due to concerns about finding safe shelter, transportation issues, or the welfare of their pets.
#BREAKING ‼️‼️
— 🌐 Short Reports 🌐 (@ShortReportOnX) October 10, 2024
A devastating force hit Florida. Hurricane #Milton and its power !#miltonhurricane #Florida #Tampa #Huracan #HurricanMilton pic.twitter.com/Vb83zxCWLY
As the storm approached, gas stations ran dry, bridges like the Sunshine Skyway were closed to traffic, and some counties suspended emergency services. Multiple tornadoes spawned by Milton caused significant damage in areas like Palm Beach County, adding to the chaos.
Inland areas faced a high risk of flooding as the storm moved northeast across Florida, with some locations expecting up to 18 inches of rainfall. While forecasters predicted the storm would weaken, it was expected to remain a hurricane as it crossed the state and entered the Atlantic Ocean.
Roof is gone at Tropicana Field #milton #rays
— Nick Burch (@PageWebber) October 10, 2024
Video by: Nick Friedman@mysuncoast @WESH pic.twitter.com/VME6Um351J
Milton's impact came just two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the region, flooding streets, destroying homes, and claiming at least 230 lives in the southern U.S. Many areas still struggling to recover from Helene's aftermath were racing to clear debris to avoid further damage from Milton's surge.
As the storm continued to move inland, communities braced for the worst, facing heavy rains, tornadoes, and strong winds. Authorities warned of prolonged power outages and severe disruptions to essential services. Airlines canceled thousands of flights, and major attractions like Walt Disney World were forced to close early.
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