On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Hurricane Milton struck Florida, making landfall at around 8:30 PM near Siesta Key in Sarasota County. With maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, the Category 3 storm brought heavy rains and strong winds, leading to widespread damage. Authorities urged residents to evacuate, as the National Hurricane Center warned “an extremely life-threatening situation” along the Gulf Coast.
“This storm is unprecedented in its intensity,” says CBS News Meteorologist Nikki Nolan.
While the storm rapidly weakened after leaving the Gulf Coast, it had previously reached Category 5 strength, with winds peaking at 180 mph. As it moved into the Atlantic on Thursday morning, it had been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane.
Officials have confirmed that at least four people are dead in St. Lucie County, and millions of Florida residents have been left without power. According to PowerOutage.us, 3 million people were without electricity by Thursday morning. Reports indicate that flooding occurred in multiple areas, as the storm surge inundated both streets and homes.
The storm’s path took it across the Florida peninsula before exiting into the Atlantic, where it is expected to weaken further. However, officials are still closely monitoring the situation, as Milton may continue to affect coastal regions. Emergency response teams are working to assess the damage and help those stranded in the hardest-hit areas.
With Hurricane Milton progressing further into the Atlantic, forecasters are keeping a close eye on its potential impact on the East Coast. While it has weakened to a tropical storm, heavy rains and high winds could still cause issues in the Carolinas and part of the Northeast. Coastal residents are advised to remain cautious and follow any additional warnings or evacuation orders that may be issued in the coming days.
As recovery efforts begin, Florida faces the challenge of rebuilding from Hurricane Milton’s devastation, particularly in communities still reeling from earlier storms. The state, bracing for a long road to recovery, have planned efforts already underway to restore power and provide aid to those affected.