Hurricane Milton reached land as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday together Floridathe Gulf Coast, unleashing powerful winds, life-threatening waves and widespread flooding across the state.
With maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (205 kmph), the storm made landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, according to National Hurricane Center.
The cyclone brought a deadly storm surge to much of Florida’s Gulf Coast, affecting densely populated areas such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Fort Myers.
As Milton moved inland, heavy rains threatened to cause significant flooding on rivers and lakes.
More than 1 million homes and businesses are without power in Florida due to Hurricane Milton, according to a utility tracking program.
The officers had issued an emergency evacuation orderswarning residents that staying would greatly reduce their chances of survival.
About 5.5 million people in Florida were ordered to evacuate in at least 11 counties along the Gulf Coast, including the densely populated cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.
State officials said this mass evacuation surpassed that of Hurricane Irma in 2017, the largest in Florida history.
Milton, fueled by unusually warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, twice reached Category 5 strength before weakening slightly, and the hurricane was expected to cross the Florida peninsula before exiting the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday while maintaining strength.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said the storm threat is not limited to the West Coast; he warned of significant impacts not only on the West Coast, but also as Milton crosses the peninsula to the Atlantic. “This is not just a coastal storm,” DeSantis said, urging inland residents to prepare for the storm as well.
president Joe Biden postponed his diplomatic trip to Germany and Angola to monitor the federal response. He urged Floridians to follow evacuation orders, calling it “a matter of life and death.”
Milton hit Florida just two weeks after Hurricane Helena left widespread destruction in its wake. 8,000 National Guard troops have been mobilized to the area in anticipation of the disaster, and authorities have closed major bridges in the Tampa Bay area to prevent traffic as the storm approaches.
As Florida braced for a hit, many who had been stranded in previous storms sought shelter. “This one feels different,” said Orlando resident Jim Nagini, who took shelter in the high school gym with other evacuees. “I won’t take any chances this time.”
Hurricane Milton approaches Florida (Photo: Reuters)
