Hurricane Milton Wreaks Havoc in Florida

Date: October 10, 2024

Hurricane Milton made landfall on the Florida Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm, bringing winds of up to 120 mph and causing widespread destruction. The storm, which initially struck near Siesta Key, caused catastrophic flooding and damage across Central Florida and spawned multiple tornadoes.

Key Impacts:

1. Storm Surge: Coastal areas such as Sarasota and Punta Gorda experienced storm surges as high as 10 feet, flooding homes and streets.
2. Tornado Outbreaks: Several tornadoes hit Port St. Lucie and Cocoa Beach, flattening mobile home parks and causing significant damage to infrastructure.
3. Infrastructure Damage: In St. Petersburg, the roof of Tropicana Field was torn off by the storm's winds, which reached 101 mph. A crane was also toppled in downtown St. Petersburg.
4. Rescue Efforts: Over 1,000 people were rescued from floodwaters, and 14 deaths have been attributed to the storm's destructive force.
5. Power Outages: More than 2.9 million people were left without power, with linemen working around the clock to restore services. As of today, 1 million customers have had power restored, but 2.5 million remain in the dark.

Government Response:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has mobilized 50,000 linemen to assist with power restoration. Emergency services continue to work in affected areas to rescue trapped individuals and provide essential aid.

Conclusion:

Though Hurricane Milton has weakened to a Category 2 storm, it continues to pose risks as it moves east across the state. The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, but initial assessments indicate that the storm will have long-lasting impacts on the affected communities.

For real-time updates and more details, visit:

• Newsweek Coverage
• Fox Weather Report