Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida, bringing dangerous winds, storm surge, and flooding.
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday night near Siesta Key, Florida, about five miles west of Sarasota, as a powerful Category 3 storm. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that the hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph at the time of landfall. This brought immediate concerns about life-threatening storm surge, extreme winds, and flash flooding across Florida’s central peninsula. Local authorities were quick to issue warnings to residents in the path of the storm.
In the NHC’s 8:30 p.m. update, the agency confirmed that dangerous conditions were already underway in affected areas. The storm’s storm surge had the potential to inundate coastal communities, while winds were capable of causing significant structural damage. Flash flooding was another major concern, particularly in areas with heavy rainfall. By that point, Hurricane Milton was already producing hazardous conditions across central Florida, with authorities urging people to stay indoors and avoid travel.
By 10 p.m., the storm was downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds dropping to 110 mph. While this indicated a slight weakening, the NHC warned that Milton was still a major storm, capable of causing destruction. The decrease in intensity did not reduce the risk of flooding, power outages, or extensive wind damage, and residents were advised to remain vigilant as the storm moved inland.
The NHC forecasted that Hurricane Milton would continue to weaken over the next 24 hours but would still bring significant rainfall, strong winds, and localized flooding to parts of central and northern Florida. Authorities across the state were on high alert, particularly in flood-prone areas. Many local officials activated emergency plans to assist residents affected by the storm and deployed additional resources to affected communities.
Despite being downgraded, Milton’s impact was still being felt by early Thursday morning. The storm’s heavy rain and gusty winds caused power outages throughout the region, with thousands of residents losing electricity. Emergency response teams were dispatched to help with rescue efforts, particularly for those stranded in flooded areas. Several roads were closed due to the rising waters, and the National Guard had been placed on standby to assist with evacuations if necessary.
As Hurricane Milton continued to move inland, authorities issued flash flood warnings for several counties in central Florida. The NHC continued to monitor the storm’s progression, with predictions of its eventual movement into the southeastern United States. The NHC also cautioned that tornadoes could develop as the storm’s outer bands continued to affect the region. The hurricane’s rapid movement meant that recovery efforts would need to begin soon after the storm passed.
In the wake of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, residents were urged to stay informed about the storm’s status and take any necessary precautions to protect their property and personal safety. As emergency teams began surveying the damage, the full extent of Milton’s impact on Florida remained unclear, but authorities were prepared for a long recovery process.
