breaking News: Hurricane Milton Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Florida

TNW News Staff Report
October 10, 2024 | 3:00 PM

Siesta Key, FL — Hurricane Milton has ravaged Florida, leaving widespread destruction after making landfall Wednesday evening near Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm. The hurricane has since been downgraded to a Category 1, but it continues to cause severe damage as it moves into the Atlantic.

At least 10 people have lost their lives, with millions more affected by tornadoes, flooding, and widespread power outages across the state. Emergency teams are still working to assess the full extent of the devastation.

Key Developments:

Landfall & Path:
Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, about 70 miles south of Tampa, with winds of 107 mph, striking coastal areas such as Venice Beach hard. While Milton had initially been a Category 5 storm, it weakened due to increased wind shear and slightly cooler waters before making landfall as a Category 3. Now downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, it continues to move north of the Bahamas, leaving Florida in recovery mode.

Tornadoes & Casualties:
Milton's impact has been exacerbated by tornadoes that struck multiple areas. Five fatalities have been confirmed in St. Lucie County, three in Volusia County, and two in St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg has seen over 18 inches of rain, triggering severe flooding in urban areas, with neighborhoods submerged and roads impassable.

Power Outages:
Over 3.3 million Floridians are currently without power as downed trees, power lines, and damaged substations have crippled electrical grids across the state. Restoration efforts are underway, but utility companies warn it could take several days to restore power to the hardest-hit areas.

Flooding:
Flash flooding continues to be a major concern, particularly along Florida’s east-central coast near Cape Canaveral. Homes have been inundated by floodwaters, and many roads have been completely destroyed. Rescue operations are ongoing, with local authorities evacuating residents by boat.

Government Response:

Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the public early Thursday morning, stating, “While the storm surge was less destructive than initially feared, the widespread damage caused by winds, flooding, and tornadoes will take weeks or months to fully recover from." DeSantis praised the first responders, stating that more than 48 people have been rescued since Wednesday night. Hospitals in Pinellas County are also evacuating patients as a precaution due to rising floodwaters.

Federal Support:

President Joe Biden has deployed federal emergency response teams, including over 1,000 Coast Guard members, to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. In an address from the White House, Biden stated, “Help is on the way,” while urging residents to stay indoors and avoid traveling until it is safe to do so.

Ongoing Threats:

Flooding:
Though Hurricane Milton has weakened, dangerous flash flooding and gusty winds remain a concern, especially near Cape Canaveral and along the east coast. Residents are urged to stay alert for continued weather advisories.

Storm Surge:
The west coast of Florida saw less storm surge damage than predicted, but parts of the northeast coast remain under storm surge warnings. Officials are monitoring the situation closely as Milton continues to push northeastward.

TNW News Hurricane Operations Division Update:

Todd Nardone, Chief of TNW's Hurricane Operations Division and General Manager, reiterated TNW News’ commitment to providing live, 24/7 updates via TNWWeather.com, X, Threads, and Instagram. Residents are encouraged to follow official evacuation orders and wait for authorities to declare areas safe before returning home.

For real-time updates, safety tips, and further resources, visit TNWWeather.com.

Further Resources:

• Hurricane Science and Storm Surge Impacts: Discover the science behind hurricane intensity and storm surges with research from the National Hurricane Center.
• Climate Change and Hurricane Patterns: Learn about how climate change is affecting hurricane frequency and intensity in a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Stay tuned to TNW News for continuous updates as the aftermath of Hurricane Milton unfolds.

This article is based on TNW News reports and the TNW News breaking news team at the TNW News Operations Department.