Florida residents in the path of Hurricane Milton were instructed to hunker down as the massive storm hit the state.
The hurricane made landfall as a Category 3 storm early Wednesday night near Sarasota County’s Siesta Key, bringing destructive tornadoes, 28ft waves, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge across multiple areas.
The National Weather Service generated 111 tornado warnings as of 9.30pm UK time, breaking a 2017 record.
More than 2.4 million customers were without power across the Sunshine State, according to outage tracker PowerOutage.US.
While Milton’s intensity continues to fluctuate, weakening to a Category 2 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center predicts it will be “one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida”.
Joe Biden urged Floridians to heed local officials and brace for “the storm of the century”.
Vice President Kamala Harris warned that even the toughest Floridians won’t weather the “historic” hurricane, she said on The Late Show on Tuesday night.
Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche told CNN on Wednesday that officers will stay on the streets until Milton’s winds top 45mph.
“If people need help, we’re not going to be able to come to them,” he said.
Key Points
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Where did Milton make landfall?
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More than 2 million Florida customers lose power
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Record-breaking number of tornado warnings in Florida
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Milton weakens to a Category 1 storm, but extreme threats remain
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Biden calls Hurricane Milton ‘storm of the century’ in warning to Florida
Milton weakens to Category 1 hurricane
06:41 , Stuti Mishra
Milton weakened further and is now a Category 1 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) latest advisory.
Despite the storm weakening, the threat from flooding, rainfall and wind remains high throughout Florida at least until later on Thursday, officials warned.
Milton was located about 65 miles (105km) west-southwest of Cape Canaveral, Florida, packing maximum sustained winds of 90mph (150kmph).
The hurricane made landfall around 8.30pmEDT (12.30am GMT) on Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120mph (195kmph) near Siesta Key, Florida.
‘Wild flooding’ in Kenneth City
06:30 , Stuti Mishra
St Joe’s Creek surges to 12 feet, 8 feet above normal.
Brad Johnson (@climatebrad.hillheat.com)
Video: Flash flooding in downtown Tampa
06:20 , Stuti Mishra
St Petersburg, Florida sees month’s worth of rain in one hour
06:10 , Stuti Mishra
St Petersburg has seen between 5-7 inches of rainfall in one hour, a month’s worth of rain.
Nearly 7 inches of rain has fallen in 1 hour in St. Petersburg, Florida, a more than 1-in-1,000-year rain event.
A month’s worth of rain falling in one hour. Catastrophic flooding ongoing. pic.twitter.com/EAoitvftHC
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) October 10, 2024
THIS IS INSANE! St. Petersburg has reported 5.09 inches of rain in ONE HOUR and 9.04 inches in3 hours.
That’s more rare than a thousand year rain event!
Thresholds for 1,000-year rain there:
5.56”/1 hour
7.16”/2 hours
8.50”/3 hours @MyRadarWX pic.twitter.com/9QUHYaXPed— Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) October 10, 2024
Hurricane Milton’s rains and wind expected to thrash Florida through Thursday
06:00 , Stuti Mishra
Hurricane Milton will continue to bring “devastating rains and damaging winds” across the central Florida peninsula throughout Thursday before exiting the state late in the day for the Atlantic Ocean, the National Weather Service said.
The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of about 105mph (165kmph) at 11pm Wednesday, according to the weather service, and storm surge warnings were in effect for parts of Florida’s western and eastern coastlines.
The weather service said Boca Grande, Florida, could see a surge as high as 13 feet (4 metres) above ground if it hits at the same time as high tide.
The service also said tornadoes were possible through early Thursday morning over parts of central and eastern Florida.
Roof blown off Tropicana Field stadium
05:45 , Stuti Mishra
Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, appears to be badly damaged.
Photos show that the fabric that serves as the domed building’s roof had been ripped to shreds. It was not immediately clear if there was damage inside the stadium.
The Rays’ stadium was not being used as a shelter, but the Tampa Bay Times reported that it was being used as “a staging site for workers” who were brought to the area to deal with the storm’s aftermath.
The stadium opened in 1990 and initially cost $138 million. It was due to be replaced in time for the 2026 season with a $1.3 billion ballpark.
Record-breaking number of tornado warnings in Florida
05:30 , Stuti Mishra
Florida has broken its record for the most tornado warnings issued in a single day.
The National Weather Service generated 111 warnings as of 9.30pm UK time.
The highest number of tornado warnings previously issued in the state was 69, a record set on 10 September 2017, ahead of Hurricane Irma.
Tree crashes into Fox News reporter’s car during Hurricane Milton
05:21 , Stuti Mishra
Tree crashes into reporter’s car as Hurricane Milton tears through west Florida
Biden calls Hurricane Milton ‘storm of the century’ in warning to Florida
05:18 , Stuti Mishra
Ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, Joe Biden urged Floridians to heed local officials and brace for “the storm of the century”.
“To the people of Florida and all affected states, we’ve got your back,” Mr Biden said. “We’ve got your back, and Kamala and I will be there for as long as it takes to rescue, recover and rebuild.”
He also used his address late on Wednesday to criticise Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for his “onslaught of lies” relating to Milton and the earlier Hurricane Helene.
“The last few weeks, there’s been a reckless, irresponsible, relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies that are disturbing people,” Mr Biden said from the White House, “It’s ridiculous, and it’s got to stop.”
Hurricane Milton leaves 2 million people out of power
04:57 , Stuti Mishra
More than 2 million homes and businesses are without power in Florida tonight, according to poweroutage.us, as Hurricane Milton slammed into the gulf coast pouding the state with ferocious winds and devastating rainfall.
The entire gulf coast region near Tampa where the storm made landfall seems to be hardest hit by power cuts, according to the tracker.
The highest number of outages were in Hardee County, as well as neighbouring Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Milton bringing devastating rains, damaging winds inland
04:32 , Julia Musto
Crane falls in St. Pete
04:24 , Julia Musto
Roof at Tropicana Field is gone
04:12 , Julia Musto
Fire and Rescue report NO INJURIES! Lineman and first responders were staging here for storm recovery. 🙏🏻
— Jason Adams (@JasonAdamsWFTS) October 10, 2024
Hurricane Milton weakens some more
04:05 , Julia Musto
Milton is moving toward the east-northeast near 16mph.
The storm’s maximum sustained winds are near 105mph, with higher gusts.
Milton is forecast to maintain hurricane intensity while crossing Florida overnight. But, after moving into the Atlantic, the hurricane is expected to gradually lose tropical characteristics and slowly weaken.
Destruction from surge, winds seen near Sarasota
04:00 , Julia Musto
Milton winds are packing a ‘wallop’
03:54 , Julia Musto
Wind gusts analysis at 9 pm and 10 pm. Just prior to landfall, 145 mph gusts over water on western side of Milton. These decreased only to about 100 mph 😳 as observed in Sarasota and Bradenton.
“She’s packing quite a wallop.” pic.twitter.com/BrGM9G5vec
— Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) October 10, 2024
Sen. Rick Scott worried about Florida residents who didn’t evacuate: ‘We can’t take care of them now’
03:40 , Julia Musto
Florida Sen. Rick Scott told CNN Wednesday that he is worried about residents who chose not to evacuate.
“People that didn’t evacuate that should’ve. We can’t take care of them now,” Scott told CNN.
“You have no choice. You have to stay in place now, and you have to hunker down, and you have to keep yourself alive. I worry about our first responders that want to go out and help these people and they have to put their lives on the line,” he said.
Storm surge rising in Punta Gorda
03:35 , Julia Musto
‘’Lieutenant Dan’ appears to be OK after Milton’s landfall
03:30 , Julia Musto
UPDATE: 9:45pm EST
Lieutenant Dan appears to be alive & well on his boat.
Lights are on & he recently posted a video on social media #HurricaneMilton did not have a direct hit on Tampa & it appears Lt. Dan is going to weather the storm
We will be going down first thing in… pic.twitter.com/gj09dnxf6H
— JAKE (@JakeGagain) October 10, 2024
Storm surge shakes street sign in Venice Bay
03:25 , Julia Musto
Photos show damage to Cocoa Beach Supercuts
03:20 , Julia Musto
More than 125 tornado warnings issued in Florida: a state record
03:15 , Julia Musto
126 tornado warnings were issued today by NWS offices in Florida
This is a record for the State of Florida
It’s also the 2nd highest number of tornado warnings issued in the U.S. for a single calendar day – trailing only the 2011 Super Outbreak (Alabama)#Milton #flwx pic.twitter.com/azJk2pudrZ
— Pat Hyland (@hylandwx) October 10, 2024
St. Pete has had 16 inches of rain since the storm started
03:09 , Julia Musto
9:30pm WED: Tampa Bay barely missed the surge, but is now getting torrential rain from the intense backside rain band. Flood Emergency continues across Tampa Bay. St. Pete has had 16 inches of rain! 5 inches in just the past hour. #FLwx #Milton pic.twitter.com/1oI69KL6GQ
— Spectrum Bay News 9 Weather (@bn9weather) October 10, 2024
Milton weakens into a Category 2 storm
03:01 , Julia Musto
The hurricane’s maximum sustained winds are at 110mph on Wednesday night.
Port Charlotte storm surge rapidly filling area
02:58 , Julia Musto
St. Petersburg slammed by Milton’s rainfall
02:55 , Julia Musto
This is my St. Pete parking garage that I’ve been reporting from.
Gusts are just too high to be out there.
On top of that we’ve probably seen 4 inches of rain in the past hour pic.twitter.com/AvBYB2tYf0
— Aaron Parseghian WTSP (@AaronParseghian) October 10, 2024
Intense rains, winds pounding Sarasota
02:51 , Julia Musto
WILD backside winds to 100-110 mph in between buildings in downtown Sarasota. Traffic light flew off pole in front of me. Water rising in downtown. Debris flying by like missiles. pic.twitter.com/QusHo8sJBK
— Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) October 10, 2024
Tampa rivers forecast to go into record flood
02:49 , Julia Musto
President Biden spoke with Orlando, Sarasota mayors
02:47 , Julia Musto
Before Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night, President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert, and Florida Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Kathy Castor.
The White House said the president had told leaders to call him directly should they need additional assistance on rescue, response, and recovery efforts.
Biden also spoke with Senators Thom Tillis and Jon Ossoff – who are from North Carolina and Georgia, respectively – to discuss the ongoing response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.
St. Petersburg sees 1-in-1000 year rainfall event
02:42 , Julia Musto
THIS IS INSANE! St. Petersburg has reported 5.09 inches of rain in ONE HOUR and 9.04 inches in3 hours.
That’s more rare than a thousand year rain event!
Thresholds for 1,000-year rain there:
5.56”/1 hour
7.16”/2 hours
8.50”/3 hours @MyRadarWX pic.twitter.com/9QUHYaXPed— Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) October 10, 2024
Here’s what it’s like in the eye of Hurricane Milton
02:35 , Julia Musto
More than 1.2M customers without power
02:31 , Julia Musto
Power outage tracker PowerOutage.US now shows 1,212,644 Florida customers are without power.
Car drives through floodwaters from Hurricane Milton as extreme winds sweep the area
02:30 , Julia Musto
Flash flood emergency issued for Tampa
02:29 , Julia Musto
Glass breaks as Milton hits Bradenton
02:25 , Julia Musto
Storm surge is coming into Sarasota
02:22 , Julia Musto
Florida will see deadly hazards, conditions well into Thursday, emergency officials warn
02:20 , Julia Musto
🌀 Hurricane #Milton officially has made landfall in Sarasota County near Siesta Key as a Category 3 hurricane.
Residents should continue to shelter in place & remain vigilant!
Deadly hazards & conditions are present well into Thursday as the storm continues to move across the…
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) October 10, 2024
Roof of Bradenton Bank of America has been ripped off
02:17 , Julia Musto
Milton moves inland, bringing life-threatening storm surge, extreme winds, flash flooding
02:15 , Julia Musto
‘Multiple fatalities’ reported after tornado outbreak in St. Lucie County
02:12 , Julia Musto
“Multiple fatalities” have been reported in Florida’s St. Lucie County after a tornado outbreak hit the area, according to WPTV.
Sheriff Keith Pearson told the outlet multiple people were killed at Spanish Lakes Country Club.
It remains unclear how many people have died.
Milton sending storm surge through Fort Myers Beach
02:10 , Julia Musto
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says next few hours will be ‘rough’ for her city
02:06 , Julia Musto
“The next few hours are going to be rough here in Tampa,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Wednesday night.
While storm surge there is no longer expected to reach 15ft, the area is under an Extreme Wind Warning.
“It’s going to move through pretty fast,” the mayor said. “We’re getting really pounded by the wind.”
Milton in photos: Category 3 storm batters Florida’s coasts
01:57 , Julia Musto
Hurricane Milton makes landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County
01:39 , Julia Musto
How is Hurricane Milton pulling water out of Tampa Bay?
01:38 , Julia Musto
Even as some parts of Florida’s coast experience storm surge, Hurricane Milton has pushed water out of Tampa Bay.
The phenomenon is called reverse or negative storm surge.
It occurs when the hurricane’s counterclockwise winds from the northern eyewall pull water out of Tampa Bay into the Gulf of Mexico.
But, when the wind direction changes, the water can refill in just a matter of minutes.
Milton sucks water out of Tampa Bay
01:35 , Julia Musto
Milton has brought more than 10 inches of rain so far
01:32 , Julia Musto
Storm surge pours into Venice as Milton starts to makes landfall
01:30 , Julia Musto
Sarasota County Sheriff says Milton is a ‘unique’ storm
01:26 , Julia Musto
“This storm is really unique,” Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman spoke told NBC News on Wednesday night.
He said Milton has aspects of previous storms “rolled into one.”
Fort Myers storm surge is over 4ft above ‘normal’
01:16 , Julia Musto
Four-day tide station records for Fort Meyers, FL (south of the eye) showing just how quickly the water level is rising. Storm surge is currently 4+ feet above “normal” and this is outside the maximum hurricane surge zone. pic.twitter.com/vZvLqQqSvL
— Brian Olson 🥥🌴🗳️ (@mrbrianolson) October 10, 2024
‘Catastrophic flash flooding’ with threats to life, property expected around Tampa
01:13 , Julia Musto
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center warned of extreme rainfall from Tampa to the north-central Florida peninsula Wednesday, which is expected to result in “catastrophic flash flooding” with “considerable threats to life and property.
“6-hr rainfall totals of at least 5-8 inches with hourly rainfall in the 2-3 in/hr range are expected,” the agency said.
Portions of St. Petersburg to Bradenton have already picked up 5-8 inches of rain since midnight, and flash flooding is ongoing in those areas.
Storm surge covers bridge to Sanibel Island
01:05 , Julia Musto
Hurricane Milton will make landfall in the next hour or two just south of Tampa Bay
01:04 , Julia Musto
Hurricane Milton was moving toward the east-northeast near 15mph Wednesday night.
Hurricane #Milton Advisory 19A: Milton Close to Making Landfall Along the Coast of West-Central Florida. Life-Threatening Storm Surge, Damaging Winds, and Flooding Rains Occurring Across Portions of Central and Southwestern Florida. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 9, 2024
On the forecast track, the center of the storm will make landfall just south of the Tampa Bay region within the next hour or two. After that, it will move across the central part of the Florida peninsula, and emerge off the east coast of Florida on Thursday.
Debris flies down Sarasota streets
01:00 , Julia Musto
More than 420K customers without power in Florida
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:59 , Julia Musto
More than 420K customers were without power in Florida Wednesday night, shortly before Hurricane Milton was expected to make landfall.
PowerOutage.US showed the majority of outages in Hernando County.
Severe power flashes seen in Florida
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:55 , Julia Musto
Videos show damage after tornado rips through city of Palm Beach Gardens
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:50 , Julia Musto
Sarasota sees winds of 90mph
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:45 , Julia Musto
Florida officials give emergency briefing
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:40 , Julia Musto
DeSantis on misinformation related to FEMA assistance in state of Florida: ‘We are going to do it right’
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:34 , Julia Musto
“I am in charge in Florida. We are working with FEMA to leverage resources,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told CBS Wednesday night. “But, we make the decisions. You will be allowed back into your home as soon as the storm passes.”
“We are going to do it right,” he said.
Reporter rescues wailing cat stuck under car as Milton’s rains pound western Florida
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:24 , Julia Musto
We’re a three man crew now. My coworker, David, rescuing a cat who took shelter under our car from Hurricane Milton. I’m glad someone walking by told us they heard meowing. pic.twitter.com/9nRFM4PqPf
— Christopher Salas (@ChristopherS_DC) October 9, 2024
Emergency services in Manatee County suspended
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:20 , Julia Musto
Due to hazardous conditions. Emergency services are suspended; 911 emergency calls will be logged and queued based on priority and will be responded to as soon as safe to do so. Please shelter in place. Monitor local news. Info: https://t.co/fBnwYQr65U. pic.twitter.com/JiDawxUujD
— Manatee County Government (@ManateeGov) October 9, 2024
Bonita Beach sees flooding around Doc’s Beach House
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:15 , Julia Musto
Hurricane Milton approaching landfall near Sarasota
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:13 , Julia Musto
Birds are caught in the eye of Milton
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:10 , Julia Musto
St. Petersburg shuts off its sewer plants
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:05 , Julia Musto
1/
The City of St. Petersburg made the difficult decision to turn off power at the Northeast and Southwest Sewer Treatment Plants to protect employees and the treatment plants from potential storm surge from Hurricane Milton. pic.twitter.com/TAzlhTTtIr— St. Petersburg, FL (@StPeteFL) October 9, 2024
Milton’s northern eyewall moves onshore near Tampa, St. Petersburg
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:00 , Julia Musto
The northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton is beginning to move onshore near Tampa and St. Petersburg, where an Extreme Wind Warning is now in effect until after 9 p.m. EDT.
An extreme wind warning is in effect for Tampa FL, Saint Petersburg FL, Clearwater FL until 9:30 PM EDT for extremely dangerous hurricane winds. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to an interior room or shelter NOW! pic.twitter.com/ddbaAC1rhl
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) October 9, 2024
“Please shelter in place as these extremely dangerous hurricane-force winds overspread the region,” the National Hurricane Center said.
FACT FOCUS: Online posts make unfounded claims about a helicopter delivering aid in North Carolina
Thursday 10 October 2024 00:00 , Julia Musto
A video of a helicopter attempting to land in a Burnsville, North Carolina, area used to store supplies for victims of Hurricane Helene has been viewed millions of times online, with many claiming that it shows an unidentified government aircraft sent to destroy the aid.
The allegations have been used to support wider misinformation narratives that have grown following the punishing Category 4 storm as federal, state and local governments work with a range of groups to address the sweeping devastation in the area.
The North Carolina National Guard on Tuesday issued a statement verifying it was one of their helicopters attempting to make a generator delivery to the site.
The Associated Press has more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ap-north-carolina-facts-tiktok-american-b2626807.html
Sarasota debris flies, water level rises
Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:55 , Julia Musto
Hurricane Milton Live: Buildings partially submerged in Fort Myers
Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:50 , Julia Musto
SEE IT: Storm surge moves into Fort Myers Beach’s Margaritaville
Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:49 , Julia Musto
Structures damaged by apparent tornado in Lake Placid, one minor injury reported
Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:45 , Julia Musto
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office said multiple structures were damaged in Tropical Harbor Mobile Home Park in Lake Placid by an apparent tornado strike at around 2 p.m. EDT. Only one structure suffered significant damage and there was one minor injury reported.
Sarasota County emergency services are grounded
Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:43 , Julia Musto
At 5:39 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, our last patrol vehicle returned to Headquarters. Sustained wind speeds are too strong for emergency services to respond. We will now wait out the storm, just like you, and once it passes, we will begin our rescue and recovery process. pic.twitter.com/bhtJsVMauw
— Sarasota Police Department (@SarasotaPD) October 9, 2024
St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office is damaged by tornado
Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:40 , Julia Musto
More than 285K customers without power
Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:38 , Julia Musto
More than 285,000 customers are now without power Wednesday night, according to tracker PowerOutage.US.
Abandoned dog left tied to fence on side of I-75 hours before Hurricane Milton hits
Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:35 , Julia Musto
Florida police found an abandoned dog tied to a fence on the side of a major interstate as Hurricane Milton races toward the state.
The Florida Highway Patrol in Tampa found what appears to be a bull terrier tied to a chicken-wire fence near Interstate 75 on Wednesday. The dog was already knee-deep in water when officers arrived, according to video shared by the Florida Highway Patrol.
“FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning,” the agency wrote on X. “Do NOT do this to your pets please.”
The animal is now safe with police.
The Independent’s Katie Hawkinson has more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/hurricane-milton-abandoned-dog-tampa-florida-b2626808.html
USGS coast cams show water encroaching on Florida beaches
Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:35 , Julia Musto
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