Hurricane Milton Hits Florida, Causing 14 Confirmed Deaths

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Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night as a dangerous Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, on Florida’s central west coast. The National Hurricane Center reported sustained winds of 120 mph at landfall. As it moved inland, the storm weakened to a Category 1.

Early Thursday, over 3.2 million customers in Florida were without power, according to PowerOutage.us. The hurricane center had advised residents in the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas to shelter in place due to extremely dangerous winds.

Earlier that day, the National Weather Service observed at least four tornadoes, including a multi-vortex tornado. Storm surge was already impacting the southwestern Florida coast, prompting multiple tornado warnings alongside hurricane warnings.

Milton had previously intensified into a catastrophic Category 5 storm with winds over 180 mph on Monday. Although it weakened before landfall, forecasters warned of serious damage and flooding. Jeff Masters, a scientist with experience at NOAA, highlighted the risks of weakening storms, noting that Hurricane Katrina was also a former Cat 5 that caused massive damage as a Cat 3.

After making landfall, Milton quickly weakened as it moved away from the warm Gulf waters but remained a hurricane. It was expected to transition into a tropical storm after exiting into the Atlantic.

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In the days leading up to the storm, extensive hurricane and storm surge warnings were issued across Florida’s western and eastern coasts. At one point, the entire state, except the panhandle, was under some form of warning. Tropical storm advisories also extended into parts of Georgia and the Bahamas.

Storm surge was a major concern due to Florida’s geography, which can exacerbate the effects. Forecasters warned of potential surges up to 13 feet in areas like Tampa and Fort Myers. However, the worst-case scenarios seemed to be lessening as the storm moved eastward.

The National Weather Service urged residents in storm surge warning areas to evacuate if ordered. The morning after landfall, multiple warnings remained in effect across eastern Florida, with storm surge warnings extending into Georgia and South Carolina.

Forecasts predicted heavy rainfall of up to 18 inches in some areas, raising the risk of catastrophic flooding.

Mass evacuations caused heavy traffic as residents prepared for Milton’s impact. Communities in the Tampa Bay area were still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which struck less than two weeks prior.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned that impacts would extend beyond the storm’s eye, particularly regarding storm surge. On Wednesday, he bluntly stated, “There will be fatalities.”

Officials set up 149 shelters with capacity for about 200,000 people. Residents lined properties with sandbags, boarded up homes, and moved boats ahead of the storm. DeSantis issued emergency orders for 51 counties, urging residents to prepare for power outages and stock up on supplies.

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As evacuation routes became congested, gas stations struggled to keep fuel available, especially around Tampa Bay. By Wednesday morning, over 23% of Florida gas stations were out of fuel.

Milton’s strength fluctuated rapidly in the days before landfall. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell urged residents to heed local officials’ advice.

Tampa’s emergency management director, John Antapasis, expressed concerns about the city’s vulnerability. He emphasized the threat of storm surge, saying, “It’s the storm surge on this one.” First responders would prioritize saving lives and protecting property.

Travel disruptions were widespread. Florida airports canceled flights and some closed ahead of the storm. United Airlines added extra flights to assist evacuations, but all flights from Tampa, Fort Myers, and Sarasota were full through Thursday.

The Port of Key West closed, and cruise ships were rerouted. Several theme parks in Orlando, including Disney World and Universal Studios, also shut down.

On Monday, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned of a potential direct hit. She emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that staying in evacuation zones could be fatal. “This is literally catastrophic,” she said.


Sara

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