Hurricane Milton struck Florida's West Coast on Wednesday evening, making landfall near Siesta Key, south of Tampa Bay, with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph). The storm brought powerful winds, heavy rain, and tornadoes to the area.

Current Status

As per the latest update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Milton has weakened to a Category 1 storm and is moving east-northeast across the Florida Peninsula. Despite the downgrade, it continues to produce damaging hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall. A storm surge warning is in effect along the coast from east-central Florida to southern Georgia.

Impact on Florida

• Power Outages: Approximately 2.8 million customers are without power across Florida. The hurricane spawned multiple tornadoes, exacerbating the situation.
• Landfall Time: Milton made landfall at around 8:30 PM local time on Wednesday, leading to significant disruptions.
• Destruction: Governor Ron DeSantis reported damage to around 125 homes, primarily mobile homes. Tragically, two deaths have been confirmed at a retirement community in Fort Pierce due to a suspected tornado.

Federal Response

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation, emphasizing the urgency of evacuation for those in affected areas. "You should evacuate now, now, now. You should have already evacuated," he stated, highlighting the life-threatening nature of the storm.

Background on Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton began as a Category 5 storm, one of the strongest hurricanes in the region, rapidly intensifying to wind speeds of 290 km/h (180 mph) on Monday. It fluctuated in strength before making landfall as a Category 3 storm. Milton is the ninth hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.