Hurricane Milton made a powerful landfall as a Category 3 storm late Wednesday, striking near Tampa, Florida.
Story Summary:
- Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, hit Tampa, Florida, late Wednesday, causing widespread damage and leaving over 1.5 million residents without power.
- Authorities confirm multiple fatalities from 17 tornadoes in St. Lucie County, with ongoing rescue operations.
- Emergency services have halted due to dangerous conditions, and recovery efforts will begin once the storm subsides.
Hurricane Milton: What is the latest news?
The storm unleashed devastating winds, flooding, and widespread damage, as documented in a series of dramatic videos circulating online.
Among the footage, scenes of storm surge swallowing coastal roads and trees being uprooted captured the sheer force of the storm.
As of Wednesday evening, Milton’s destructive path has left more than 1.5 million homes and businesses in the dark across Florida. In addition to the relentless wind and rain, the storm has spawned multiple tornadoes, creating further devastation inland.
St. Lucie County, one of the hardest-hit areas, confirmed at least 17 tornadoes, per Fox News.
According to Sheriff Keith Pearson, these tornadoes resulted in “multiple fatalities” and destroyed hundreds of homes. He added that rescue missions are still ongoing, but hazardous conditions are delaying response efforts.
“We are facing immense challenges,” Pearson said in an interview on Fox Weather, “and we expect the number of casualties to rise.”
Emergency services across Florida have been significantly impacted.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to stay indoors and avoid attempting to leave their homes as the storm intensifies. “It’s too dangerous to evacuate now,” DeSantis said during an evening press conference.
“We’re seeing deadly storm surges, and rescue efforts are on hold until it’s safe for emergency crews to operate.”
As Milton moves inland, authorities predict ongoing damage, including downed power lines, flooding, and widespread debris.
Early reports indicate that entire neighbourhoods have been flattened by tornadoes.
According to Florida’s emergency management teams, hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and infrastructure like bridges and roads has been severely damaged.
Utilities are bracing for extended outages, with Florida Power and Light reporting more than 14,000 workers deployed to restore power. Tampa Electric Company and Duke Energy also have large teams on standby, prepared for the extensive recovery effort once it becomes safe.
President Joe Biden has promised full federal support to help Florida recover from Hurricane Milton, calling the storm “the disaster of the century.”
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell confirmed that over 1,200 search-and-rescue personnel are on the ground, equipped with helicopters, boats, and high-water vehicles.
“This is an all-hands-on-deck situation,” Criswell said, urging Floridians to remain calm and wait for emergency updates.
