Hurricane Milton Pummels Florida as a Category 3 Storm, Sparing Tampa but Wreaking Havoc Across the State
Siesta Key Landfall Near Sarasota
Hurricane Milton made landfall late Wednesday night as a powerful Category 3 storm in Siesta Key near Sarasota, approximately 70 miles south of Tampa. The storm brought winds exceeding 100 mph (160 kph) and unleashed widespread destruction, from ripped-off roofs to toppled cranes, creating a significant emergency across western and central Florida. Although Tampa narrowly escaped a direct hit, nearby cities suffered severe damage as heavy rains and fierce winds battered the region.
Widespread Flooding and Infrastructure Damage
St. Petersburg, located just south of Tampa, bore the brunt of Milton’s fury. The city was inundated with over 16 inches (41 cm) of rain, prompting flash flood warnings from the National Weather Service. Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, sustained major roof damage, and a water main break left residents without access to tap water. Across Florida, over 2.6 million homes and businesses were left without power as the storm ravaged power grids.
Deadly Tornadoes and Widespread Devastation
Even before landfall, Milton spawned deadly tornadoes throughout the state. The Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce, on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, was one of the hardest-hit areas, with numerous homes destroyed and fatalities confirmed. St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson acknowledged the loss of life but withheld specific details. Senior citizen communities, particularly mobile home parks, were devastated, with 125 homes destroyed before the storm made landfall.
Hurricane Downgraded, but Threats Persist
Hurricane Milton was downgraded to a Category 2 storm approximately 90 minutes after landfall. Sustained winds dropped to 90 mph (145 kph) by early Thursday as the storm moved inland, south of Orlando. The Orlando area and central Florida brace for additional flooding along rivers and lakes as the storm traverses the state.
Emergency Services Suspended, Residents Stranded
Officials ordered mandatory evacuations in 15 Florida counties, affecting roughly 7.2 million residents. Cathie Perkins, Pinellas County’s emergency management director, issued dire warnings, urging residents to evacuate or face life-threatening conditions. By late afternoon, emergency services in some areas were suspended due to the storm’s intensity, leaving those who stayed behind to fend for themselves.
In Sarasota, Jackie Curnick, who is expecting her second child, made the difficult decision to remain at home after struggling to find an affordable evacuation option. “It’s so difficult to evacuate in a peninsula,” she noted, reflecting on the limited escape routes from Florida.
Governor Deploys National Guard, Prepares for Fatalities
Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the crisis by deploying 9,000 National Guard members and 50,000 utility workers to assist with recovery efforts. He expressed concern about the potential for fatalities, acknowledging that the storm’s damage would leave a lasting impact on the state.
Tornadoes, Evacuations, and Gas Shortages
As the storm intensified, tornadoes lashed southern Florida, and more than 1,900 flights were canceled. Major theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, shut down early Wednesday. Gas shortages became widespread, with over 60% of gas stations in Tampa and St. Petersburg running out of fuel. However, Governor DeSantis assured the public that state troopers were escorting fuel supplies to the affected areas to restore gas availability.
Survivors Test Their Resilience
Across the state, residents prepared for the worst. Josh Parks, a resident of Charlotte Harbor, packed up to evacuate after barely surviving Hurricane Helene two weeks earlier. In Gulfport, Christian Burke and his family decided to stay in their concrete home, which had been designed by his father to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.
“We’re not laughing at this storm one bit,” Burke said, as police vehicles broadcast evacuation warnings. His words echoed the determination and resilience of many Floridians facing the storm’s impact.
As Hurricane Milton continues its path across Florida, the state braces for the challenges ahead. With community support and relief efforts underway, Floridians remain united in overcoming the devastation.