Hurricane Milton: A Devastating Category 3 Storm Strikes Florida
Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night as a “dangerous Category 3” storm near Siesta Key, located on Florida’s central west coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. With sustained winds of 120 mph at landfall, Milton quickly weakened to a Category 1 as it moved inland across the state.
As of early Thursday, over 3.2 million customers were without power in Florida, based on data from PowerOutage.us.
The hurricane center had urged residents in the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas to shelter in place due to “extremely dangerous hurricane-force winds” affecting the region.
Earlier that day, the National Weather Service in Miami reported at least four tornadoes, including a “multi-vortex tornado,” as storm surge warnings were issued along the southwestern Florida coast. Tornado warnings were also in effect for multiple cities, compounding the existing hurricane and storm surge alerts.
Initially, Hurricane Milton reached catastrophic Category 5 status with winds exceeding 180 mph on Monday. However, as it approached landfall, the sustained wind speeds began to decline. Jeff Masters, a scientist formerly with NOAA, noted that even weakening storms can cause significant damage, citing Hurricane Katrina as an example.
“Some of the biggest catastrophes in hurricane history were from weakening storms,” Masters told CBS News. “Milton is another former Cat 5 that will hit as a Cat 3, and the storm surge is a serious concern.”
After making landfall, Milton continued to weaken as it moved across Florida but maintained its hurricane status before exiting into the Atlantic Ocean and transitioning into a tropical storm.
Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings
In the days leading up to Milton’s arrival, hurricane and storm surge warnings were issued for extensive areas along Florida’s coasts and many inland regions. At one point, nearly all of Florida outside the panhandle was under some form of warning. Tropical storm advisories were also in effect for parts of Georgia and the Bahamas.
The geography of Florida’s western peninsula raises concerns about severe storm surges. Forecasters warned of potential surges of up to 13 feet along the Gulf Coast, particularly in cities like Tampa and Fort Myers. Although the worst-case scenario seemed to be less likely as the storm moved eastward, the National Weather Service emphasized the life-threatening nature of the situation.
Severe Rainfall and Flooding Risks
Forecasts indicated heavy rainfall, with some areas expecting up to 18 inches, leading to risks of “catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding.” The hurricane center warned of moderate to major river flooding as well.
Mass Evacuations and Preparedness
Mass evacuations clogged highways as residents prepared for Milton’s potential impact. Communities, especially around the Tampa Bay area, were still recovering from Hurricane Helene just weeks prior. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned that the storm’s impact would be widespread, particularly regarding storm surge.
Officials established 149 shelters across Florida, capable of accommodating around 200,000 people. Residents lined properties with sandbags, boarded windows, and moved boats in anticipation of the storm.
Travel Disruptions and Infrastructure Concerns
Florida airports canceled flights, with some closing ahead of the storm. United Airlines added extra flights to help evacuate passengers. The Port of Key West also closed, and several Orlando-area theme parks shut their doors, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor emphasized the severity of the situation, urging residents to evacuate if in danger. President Biden echoed this sentiment, postponing a trip to monitor the response to Hurricane Milton and urging those in the storm’s path to heed evacuation orders.
