Hurricane Milton slams into Florida, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Watch the latest videos capturing the storm’s powerful impact on the Sunshine State.
Residents of Florida have been advised to take shelter as Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, made landfall on the U.S. coast Wednesday, causing power outages for over three million people.
The hurricane hit near Siesta Keys in Sarasota County, bringing with it destructive tornadoes, powerful winds, heavy rainfalls, and storm surges across various regions. The National Weather Service reported that the hurricane led to as many as 111 tornado warnings being issued.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson reported that “multiple” deaths have been confirmed along Florida’s Atlantic coast following the hurricane’s impact. Additionally, county spokesperson Erick Gill mentioned that “dozens” of tornadoes had developed in the area, with one striking the Spanish Lakes Country Club and resulting in “several fatalities,” according to Pearson.
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In the Florida city of St. Petersburg, several construction cranes reportedly collapsed, and Milton’s fierce winds completely tore off the roof of Tropicana Field stadium.
After crashing into the coast, Milton weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, according to officials. However, they emphasized that the danger to life persisted throughout Thursday. The National Hurricane Center also reported that a flash flood emergency persists over areas of west-central Florida as the hurricane continues its path across the peninsula.
All day long, users have been sharing videos showing the turmoil caused by Milton. The National Hurricane Center has labeled it as “one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.”
