Hurricane Milton Sweeps Across Florida

After fluctuating between Category 4 and 5 over the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast Wednesday night as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing torrential rain and 120 mph winds. Nearly 3 million people are without power, and the National Weather Service has warned of “life-threatening flashflooding.”

Historic: On Sunday, Milton was heading toward Florida as a tropical storm, but within 24 hours it strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane with winds up to 180 mph.

It is the first storm on record to have intensified so quickly and the third-strongest hurricane based on wind speed to be recorded in the Atlantic Basin.

Evacuations: Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for 15 counties in the storm’s path, home to over 7.2 million people. Others were under voluntary evacuations. At least 50 counties declared a state of emergency.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned residents, “If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re going to die.”

Hundreds of thousands of Floridians were caught in traffic jams as they tried to flee.

Tornadoes: As it approached, Milton’s winds spawned multiple tornadoes across Florida. Over 130 tornado warnings were issued across the state by Wednesday evening, and at least 27 tornadoes touched down.

There have been two confirmed deaths at a retirement community in Fort Peirce on the east coast of Florida. Other deaths have been reported, but the number of people killed was not specified.

At least 125 homes were destroyed.

Destruction: Hurricane Milton made landfall around 8:30 p.m. near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, bring storm surges as high as 13 feet. The storm was weaker than expected and continued to lose strength as it swept across the center of the state. However, it has caused major damage, downing power lines, ripping roofs off buildings, and flooding towns.

“We have lost some life,” stated St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson, without giving a number. At least four people have been confirmed dead.

Electricity and water systems could be down in Florida for days or even weeks.

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Florida was still cleaning up the destruction from Category 4 Hurricane Helene when Milton hit. Now it must deal with another disaster.

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