After Hurricane Milton made landfall and affected regions in Florida, widespread devastation was reported, with over 3 million customers losing power and more than 120 tornado warnings issued. The storm caused at least four deaths and followed the path of Hurricane Helene, although Tampa was fortunate to avoid a direct hit.
Hurricane Milton was downgraded to a Category 2 storm after hitting Siesta Key, approximately 70 miles south of Tampa, as a Category 3 hurricane. Despite the substantial damage and rising water levels following the storm, Governor Ron DeSantis noted that the situation was not as severe as anticipated.
While the feared storm surge for Tampa did not occur, the storm brought heavy rainfall of up to 18 inches in some areas, causing flooding concerns. Sarasota County experienced storm surge heights of 8 to 10 feet, lower compared to the impact of Hurricane Helene. Authorities cautioned residents as storm-surge warnings were issued for the east-central Florida coast and into Georgia, with tropical storm alerts extended into South Carolina.
As communities grappled with the aftermath, officials urged residents of severely affected counties like Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Lee to remain indoors due to hazardous conditions such as downed power lines, blocked roads, and flooding. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to carry out rescues and address the extensive flooding in regions like Plant City, as reported by City Manager Bill McDaniel.
Despite the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton, the storm spared Tampa the worst outcome, shifting southward as it made landfall. However, multiple areas faced challenges, with St. Petersburg residents unable to access water due to a water main break, and power outages affecting millions of homes and businesses across the state.
The impact of the hurricane was felt in neighboring states, with storm warnings issued along the Florida coast and into Georgia and South Carolina. Widespread evacuations were enacted across 15 Florida counties, affecting over 7.2 million people, while attractions like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando remained closed as a precaution.
As Floridians coped with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton and dealt with power outages, disrupted services, and ongoing recovery efforts, communities rallied to support one another in the face of adversity.
