Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida on Wednesday night, unleashing devastation across the state as it plowed through with 120 mph winds. The storm hit Siesta Key as a powerful Category 3 hurricane, bringing heavy rainfall, catastrophic flooding, and tornadoes that affected various parts of the state. More than 3 million people were left without power as the storm wreaked havoc from the Gulf Coast to central Florida.
By Thursday morning, four deaths had been reported, with additional fatalities feared as search and rescue efforts continue. In Sarasota County, storm surges reached up to 10 feet, submerging entire neighborhoods. Some areas saw nearly 18 inches of rain, turning streets into rivers. Emergency crews in cities like Plant City, just inland from Tampa, had to rescue dozens of residents stranded by flash floods. City officials described the flooding as unprecedented, with water levels rising in places never seen before.
Now that the sun is up, here’s a 360-degree view of the damage Hurricane Milton caused to Tropicana Field’s roof and the inside of the ballpark. Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZCtPHv6rE9
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) October 10, 2024
Tornadoes spawned by Milton caused significant damage in southern Florida before the hurricane even made landfall. Fort Myers saw downed trees and ripped apart gas station canopies, while mobile home communities near Fort Pierce were decimated. At least four people were killed by tornadoes in this area alone. The storm’s wide reach stretched across the state, as far as Cape Canaveral, where Milton eventually exited into the Atlantic on Thursday morning.
In Tampa, concerns over a major storm surge subsided as the worst of the flooding was avoided. However, the city's infrastructure took a beating, with multiple cranes collapsing and the roof of Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, sustaining damage. In St. Petersburg, a water main break cut off tap water to thousands of residents. Officials urged people to stay indoors due to fallen power lines and road blockages caused by debris.
Just hours before #HurricaneMilton is set to strike Florida, residents in several neighborhoods have witnessed an eerie spectacle
Groups of Sandhill cranes gathering and emitting sharp, urgent calls, as if signaling the need to flee#Miltonpic.twitter.com/ECMaC5t4hi
— BlueGreen Planet (@De_le_Vega) October 9, 2024
Governor Ron DeSantis called the situation dire but noted that the damage, while severe, could have been worse. However, recovery efforts are just beginning, with authorities warning that the danger has not fully passed.
In addition to flooding, hazardous conditions from downed trees and broken infrastructure will likely persist for days. With hundreds of homes destroyed and significant losses in agricultural areas, the financial toll of Hurricane Milton is expected to climb into the billions.
The storm hit Florida just two weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged the state, compounding the recovery challenges. Many communities had barely begun to clear debris from the previous hurricane, making Milton's impact even more devastating. Florida’s emergency management officials are now working around the clock to assess the damage and begin restoring power to millions left in the dark.
Hurricane Milton’s rapid weakening after landfall offered some relief, as it was downgraded to a Category 1 storm within hours of moving inland. Yet, the hurricane’s lasting damage—both physical and emotional—will require a significant coordinated recovery effort across the region. As the state grapples with the aftermath of this storm, the resilience of Florida’s communities will be put to the test again.
