Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm before weakening to a Category 2, has caused catastrophic flooding and storm surges in Tampa Bay, with winds reaching 102 mph. Over 1 million homes have lost power as the storm continues to wreak havoc along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Milton, fueled by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, briefly reached Category 5 status before making landfall near Sarasota. This marks the second major hurricane to strike the region in less than two weeks. The storm has brought torrential rains, tornadoes, and widespread wind damage across the state.
Key updates on Hurricane Milton:
- Storm surge and flooding: Forecasters predicted storm surges could reach up to 13 feet, with rainfall totals between 10 to 14 inches so far.
- Power outages: Over 1 million homes and businesses are currently without power across Florida.
- President Biden’s response: Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert received a call from President Joe Biden, who acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the storm and pledged federal support for recovery efforts in Sarasota.
- Multiple deaths: A tornado hit Fort Pierce, killing several residents of a retirement community. Local authorities are continuing search and rescue operations as the exact number of casualties remains unknown.
- Water receding in Tampa Bay: The hurricane’s winds have caused a rare phenomenon, pushing water out of Tampa Bay in a reverse storm surge, though this may lead to sudden and severe flooding when the water returns.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency for Tampa Bay, including St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as the area faces life-threatening flooding. Despite being downgraded, Hurricane Milton continues to pose a major threat to life and property across Florida.
