Breaking News: Hurricane Milton Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Florida
TNW News Staff Report | October 11, 2024 | 9:24 AM

Siesta Key, FL — Hurricane Milton, now downgraded to a Category 1 storm, continues to wreak havoc across Florida after making landfall Wednesday evening near Siesta Key as a Category 3. The storm has claimed at least 10 lives, left millions without power, and forced countless communities to grapple with the aftermath of devastating tornadoes, flooding, and high winds.

Tornadoes and Fatalities in St. Lucie County

Among the most devastated areas is St. Lucie County, where a powerful tornado ravaged the Spanish Lakes Country Club Village, a retirement community for residents aged 55 and older. At least five residents have been confirmed dead, according to county spokesman Erick Gill. "The level of destruction we’re seeing here is unlike anything in the last two decades," Gill said. Search-and-rescue operations are underway, with multiple homes destroyed in the storm's wake.

Key Developments:

Landfall & Path: Hurricane Milton initially made landfall near Siesta Key, about 70 miles south of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds of 107 mph. Once a Category 5 behemoth, the storm weakened before landfall due to wind shear and cooler waters, but it still wreaked havoc as a Category 3. As it moves into the Atlantic, Milton remains a dangerous storm system expected to continue impacting regions along Florida’s east coast and the Bahamas.

Tornadoes & Casualties: In addition to the five confirmed deaths in St. Lucie County, three fatalities have been reported in Volusia County and two more in St. Petersburg, which has been inundated with 18 inches of rain. Severe flooding has left neighborhoods submerged, with numerous roads impassable. Tornadoes spun off from the storm have added to the destruction, particularly in Fort Pierce, where emergency responders are still working to find survivors amid the wreckage.

Power Outages: Over 3.3 million Floridians remain without electricity as fallen trees, downed power lines, and damaged substations have disrupted the electrical grid. Crews are working tirelessly to restore power, but officials warn that it may take days to bring service back to the hardest-hit regions. Residents are advised to be patient as teams focus on critical infrastructure.

Flooding: Flash flooding continues to be a major threat along Florida’s east-central coast, especially near Cape Canaveral, where homes and roads have been submerged. Rescue operations are ongoing, with local authorities evacuating residents by boat in some areas. Many roads remain washed out, and officials are urging residents to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary.

Government Response:

Governor Ron DeSantis lauded the rapid and heroic response of first responders in a press conference Thursday morning. He reported that over 48 people had been rescued since the storm hit. Hospitals in Pinellas County have evacuated patients due to rising floodwaters, and officials are urging residents to stay indoors until evacuation orders are lifted. "The damage is extensive, but we will rebuild," DeSantis reassured Floridians.

Federal Support:

President Joe Biden has mobilized federal resources to assist in recovery efforts, including deploying over 1,000 Coast Guard members, FEMA teams, and other emergency personnel. In a statement from the White House, Biden assured the state that "help is on the way" and emphasized the importance of following local authorities' instructions during recovery. "We are fully committed to supporting Florida during this crisis," he added.

Ongoing Threats:

Though Hurricane Milton has been downgraded to a Category 1 storm, it still poses significant threats, including flash flooding, strong winds, and the possibility of more tornadoes. Storm surge warnings are still in effect for parts of Florida’s northeast coast, and officials continue to monitor Milton's path as it heads toward the Bahamas.

TNW News Hurricane Operations Division Update:

Todd Nardone, Chief of TNW’s Hurricane Operations Division, reaffirmed TNW News’ commitment to providing continuous live coverage through TNWWeather.com, X, Threads, and Instagram. "Residents should stay informed, follow evacuation orders, and wait for officials to declare areas safe before returning," Nardone stressed. The TNW Hurricane Operations Division continues to track Milton and its aftermath, providing real-time updates on evacuation efforts, flood advisories, and recovery progress.

For continuous coverage of Hurricane Milton, including live updates, safety tips, and further resources, visit TNWWeather.com.

Stay tuned to TNW News for ongoing coverage as Florida begins to recover from Hurricane Milton.

Related Resources:

• Hurricane Science and Storm Surge Impacts: Explore the science behind hurricane formation and storm surges in this report from the National Hurricane Center.
• Climate Change and Hurricane Patterns: Discover how climate change is influencing the frequency and intensity of hurricanes in this Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) study.

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