Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday night as a powerful Category 3 storm, with wind speeds reaching 145 miles per hour (233 kilometers per hour). The storm caused extensive destruction to homes and buildings near Sarasota, according to various reports.
Currently, over 20 million residents in Florida and Georgia are under hurricane or tropical storm warnings, while much of north-central Florida is facing tornado and flood alerts. The anticipated storm surge from Milton is expected to flood areas that were already severely impacted by Hurricane Helene just two weeks prior, a disaster that claimed more than 230 lives across the southeastern United States.
While it remains too early to assess the full extent of casualties, emergency officials have confirmed several fatalities shortly after Milton’s landfall. St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson stated, “We have lost some life,” though he did not specify the exact number. Search and rescue teams are already on the ground to assist affected areas.
PowerOutage.us reports that nearly 1.7 million people are currently without electricity, a number that is expected to grow as Milton progresses through the state, taking down power lines in its wake.
In anticipation of the storm, residents along the Gulf Coast were ordered to evacuate, while those who remained were advised to shelter in place. The National Weather Service (NWS) cautioned, “With night falling and power outages climbing, high winds are only getting worse across western Florida.” Residents were urged to stay in interior rooms away from overhanging trees and branches, which can pose fatal risks during such storms.
Emergency responders on Florida’s east coast are also dealing with tornado reports in several Atlantic Coast communities, prompting tornado warnings for nearly 12 million residents.
President Joe Biden labeled Hurricane Milton as “the storm of the century” during an emergency briefing at the White House, emphasizing the importance of safety. “It is truly a matter of life and death,” he stated.
In addition to the damaging winds and tornadoes, Milton is expected to cause significant flooding statewide. The National Weather Service forecasts that some areas may receive rainfall amounts between 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters).
The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings about extensive damage due to Milton, predicting that tropical-storm-force winds could reach as far as 255 miles (410 kilometers) from the storm’s center.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that hundreds of search and rescue personnel and 180 high-water vehicles are prepared to begin emergency operations. Moreover, more than 6,000 members of the state National Guard and an additional 3,000 personnel from other states are on standby, along with 50,000 utility workers ready to restore power once the storm passes.
