Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key late Wednesday night, unleashing unprecedented rainfall and destructive winds across Florida.
The storm, classified as significant with wind gusts exceeding 100 mph, quickly resulted in a catastrophic situation, leaving over 2 million residents without power in just three hours, according to PowerOutage.us.
Counties near Siesta Key reported over 70% of energy customers affected.
Tragically, multiple fatalities have been confirmed in St. Lucie County following a tornado that struck a mobile home retirement community. Sheriff Keith Pearson indicated the loss of life exceeds one, though specific numbers were not disclosed.
The storm’s aftermath revealed hundreds of homes completely ravaged by severe winds and tornadoes.
The initial reports provide a harrowing view of Milton’s destructive path. Communities are grappling with flooded roads, extensive debris, and substantial damages.
In St. Petersburg, the iconic MLB stadium, Tropicana Field, lost its roof, and a tower crane collapsed onto a building, highlighting the scale of the devastation. Meanwhile, Tampa experienced life-threatening flash flooding, exacerbated by transformer explosions that lit up the night sky.
Rainfall in St. Petersburg reached an astounding 16 inches in just three hours, marking a one-in-1,000-year flooding event for the area.
This rainfall equates to more than three months’ worth of average precipitation for the city, as historic bands of heavy rain parked themselves over the Tampa Bay region.
Milton is now the third hurricane to strike Florida this year, joining the ranks of Francine and Helene, a rare and concerning occurrence unprecedented since 1871.
Cities such as Lakeland, Kissimmee, Orlando, and Cape Canaveral brace for potential further impacts. Local officials urge residents to stay vigilant and prioritize safety in the wake of this devastating storm.
