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Hurricane Milton Makes Landfall in Florida With Severe Storm Surge
Florida’s western coast was battered by Hurricane Milton late Wednesday as the powerful Category 3 storm made landfall near Siesta Key, bringing extreme winds, life-threatening rain, and dangerous storm surge.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of severe damage across the region as the storm raged through the state.
The NHC reported that Hurricane Milton, packing sustained winds of 120 mph (205 km/h), unleashed its fury on the densely populated area around Siesta Key at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time (0030 GMT Thursday). The storm is expected to bring up to 13 feet (4 meters) of storm surge along Florida’s Gulf Coast, causing significant flooding and potential fatalities.
Florida Prepares for Devastation as Milton Hits
As Hurricane Milton approached, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to take all necessary precautions and hunker down as the state braced for what he described as an “extremely dangerous” storm. “It’s time for everyone to hunker down,” he said at a press conference just before Milton made landfall.
Torrential rain and destructive winds have caused severe flooding across the central Florida peninsula, with the tourist hotspot of Orlando—home to Walt Disney World—also in the storm’s path. The hurricane is forecast to continue its destructive journey inland before crossing the state to the Atlantic Ocean.
Widespread Destruction and Power Outages Reported
In cities along the coast such as Sarasota, near Siesta Key, residents witnessed howling winds blowing out windows, uprooting trees, and causing widespread power outages. Desperate residents sought refuge in shelters and secured their homes with sandbags in anticipation of the storm’s devastating impact.
Businesses and homes were boarded up and streets emptied as the wind blew almost horizontally, a sign of the storm’s brutal intensity. In Sarasota, gusts were strong enough to shatter glass panes on buildings near the waterfront, further intensifying the damage.
Emergency Services on High Alert
Emergency services remain on high alert as they prepare for search and rescue operations once the storm passes. Officials have warned residents to stay indoors and avoid flooded areas, as the combination of storm surge and flash flooding could be life-threatening.
Hurricane Milton comes just two weeks after Florida was struck by another major hurricane, leaving communities still in recovery mode. The state’s emergency management teams are coordinating closely to respond to what could be one of the most destructive storms of the season.
