Breaking: Hurricane Milton Nears Landfall - Critical Updates By TNW News Breaking News Staff & TNWWeather.com

Breaking: Hurricane Milton Nears Landfall - Critical Updates

By TNW News Breaking News Staff & TNWWeather.com Staff
Hurricane Operations Division Chief: General Manager Todd Nardone
Updated: Thursday, October 10, 2024, 7:49 AM EDT

Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast late Wednesday evening as a powerful Category 3 storm, bringing widespread flooding, wind damage, and tornadic activity. The National Hurricane Center had earlier warned of life-threatening storm surge, which materialized along much of the coast, with initial reports of surge heights up to 10 feet in some areas.

Despite weakening to a Category 1 storm early Thursday morning, Milton continues to cause severe damage across central and eastern Florida. Millions of residents remain without power, and emergency officials are working tirelessly to assess the damage and coordinate rescue operations.

Key Developments:

• Storm Surge & Flooding: Areas along the west coast, including Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties, have experienced catastrophic flooding. Governor Ron DeSantis stated that although the storm’s surge was not as strong as anticipated in some areas, officials are bracing for widespread flooding during the Thursday morning high tide.
• Fatalities: Four deaths have been confirmed in St. Lucie County due to tornadoes that spun up ahead of Milton’s landfall. First responders are continuing rescue efforts, with dozens of reports of injuries across the region.
• Power Outages: Over 3.3 million Floridians are without power, with major outages reported in Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Utility companies have deployed over 50,000 linemen across the state to restore power once conditions improve.
• Tampa Bay Impact: While Tampa Bay narrowly avoided the worst-case scenario, extensive damage to infrastructure, including Tropicana Field, has been reported. Mayor Jane Castor urged residents to stay indoors as the city recovers from significant wind damage and ongoing flooding risks.

Evacuations and Response:

Mandatory evacuation orders remain in place for Pinellas, Pasco, and Manatee Counties, while barrier islands in the region are closed to all traffic. Hospitals, including HCA Florida Largo, are evacuating hundreds of patients due to flooding.

Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie has urged residents in flood-prone areas to continue following evacuation orders and remain vigilant for flash flooding.

Storm Path and Forecast:

The center of Hurricane Milton has moved away from Florida and is expected to pass north of the Bahamas later today. The storm is gradually weakening but still poses significant risks of flash flooding and gusty winds across Florida’s northeast coast and into parts of Georgia and South Carolina.

Final Preparations:

Residents are urged to finalize safety precautions and remain indoors until local authorities declare conditions safe. Follow TNWWeather.com and related platforms on X, Threads, and Instagram for real-time updates and critical information.

TNW News remains committed to providing around-the-clock coverage as recovery efforts continue.

Stay safe, stay informed. TNW News – Keeping You Safe, Keeping You Informed.