Hurricane Milton: Florida dodges ‘worst-case scenario’ despite 8-10ft storm surge

Hurricane Milton whipped up tornadoes, destroyed homes and knocked out power to millions before blowing out into the Atlantic.

Damage to a home after a tornado ripped through The Preserve development as Hurricane Milton tracked across Florida, in Wellington, Florida, U.S. October 10, 2024.  Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network via REUTERS   NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Hurricane Milton was significant, but not 'worst case scenario', Florida governor Ron deSantis has said. (Reuters)

Florida dodged the "worst-case scenario" after Hurricane Milton made landfall on the state's west coast on Thursday, whipping up deadly tornadoes, destroying homes and knocking out power to over three million homes.

The hurricane, which had been a category five storm, made landfall as a category three and subsequently weakened still further to a category one, brought storm surges of 8-10ft in Sarasota County and wreaking damage across the state.

However, it was less than had initially been feared. Speaking in a press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said: "What we can say is the storm was significant but thankfully this was not the worst-case scenario. The storm did weaken before landfall and and the storm surge as initially reported has not been as significant overall as what was observed for Hurricane Helene."

DeSantis said while Sarasota had bore the brunt of the most significant storm surges with 8-10ft water levels, they were less than those reported in some areas during Hurricane Helene two weeks ago when they were recorded at 15-20ft. Over 3.1 million homes and businesses remained without power and rescue missions are underway, he added.

The hurricane tore a gaping hole in the fabric roof of Tropicana Field, the stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team in St. Petersburg, but there were no reports of injuries. The ballpark was a staging area for responders, with thousands of cots set up on the field.

"One of the blessings for us is that we did not see that predicted storm surge. That saved a lot," Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said during an early morning press conference.

In the Tampa area, the storm toppled trees, threw debris across roadways and downed power lines, video footage from local news showed. Some neighbourhoods were flooded, but the extent of the damage will not be known until crews can assess the destruction, Castor said.

See below for how the day's events in Florida unfolded

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER49 updates
  • Flood waters remain as millions are without power

    Millions of Floridians remain without power as neighbourhoods across the state were flooded when Hurricane Milton swept through overnight Wednesday.

    PUNTA GORDA - OCTOBER 10: In this aerial view, a person walks through flood waters that inundated a neighborhood after Hurricane Milton came ashore on October 10, 2024, in Punta Gorda, Florida. The storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding throughout Central Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
    Flood waters inundated a neighbourhood after Hurricane Milton came ashore in Punta Gorda, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
    PUNTA GORDA - OCTOBER 10: In this aerial view, flood waters inundate a neighborhood after Hurricane Milton came ashore on October 10, 2024, in Punta Gorda, Florida. The storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding throughout Central Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
    Many homes remain flooded out and without power in the wake of the storm. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
    A drone image shows a flooded street due to Hurricane Milton in Siesta Key, Florida, on October 10, 2024. At least four people were confirmed killed as a result of two tornadoes triggered by Hurricane Milton on the east coast of the US state of Florida, local authorities said Thursday. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)
    Flooded streets in Siesta Key, Florida. (Getty Images)
  • Boy, 14, rescued from floodwater by sheriffs

    Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office shared a video of its Marine Unit and Sheriff rescuing a 14-year-old boy from floodwater.

    In the video, the boy is half submerged and clinging to debris as the team find him while patrolling in a boat. They circle round and bring him to safety.

  • Residents face huge cleanup operation following Hurricane Milton

    Florida residents woke up to devastating scenes on Thursday morning after Hurricane Milton swept through the state.

    Broken structures lie on top of a car after Hurricane Milton made landfall, in Venice, Florida, U.S., October 10, 2024. REUTERS/Marco Bello
    Broken structures lie on top of a car after Hurricane Milton made landfall, in Venice, Florida. (Reuters)
    A drone view shows buildings and structures damaged by Hurricane Milton after it made landfall, in Venice, Florida, U.S., October 10, 2024. REUTERS/Marco Bello
    A drone view shows buildings and structures damaged by Hurricane Milton after it made landfall, in Venice, Florida. (Reuters)
    Small boats rests on a pier after they were unmoored during Hurricane Milton, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
    Small boats rests on a pier after they were unmoored during Hurricane Milton, in Fort Myers, Florida. (AP)
  • Biden: 'Help is on the way'

    US President Joe Biden urged people impacted by Hurricane Milton to "stay inside and off the roads", telling them: "Help is on the way".

    Writing on X as Florida reeled from the hurricane, he said: "To everyone impacted by Hurricane Milton: I urge you stay inside and off the roads.

    "Downed power lines, debris, and road washouts are creating dangerous conditions.

    "Help is on the way, but until it arrives, shelter in place until your local officials say it’s safe to go out."

  • Pictures show homes wrecked and streets destroyed by Hurricane Milton

    Streets in Florida were strewn with debris after Hurricane Milton blasted through the state overnight on Wednesday, throwing out hurricanes and bringing surge flooding to coastal areas.

    Marie Cook reacts to the damage to her home in the Binks Estates community after a tornado formed by Hurricane Milton touched down striking homes in The Preserve and Binks Estate among others in its path in Wellington, Florida, U.S. October 9, 2024.  Bill Ingram/Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network via REUTERS  NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
    Marie Cook reacts to the damage to her home in the Binks Estates community after a tornado formed by Hurricane Milton touched down striking homes in The Preserve and Binks Estate among others in its path in Wellington, Florida. (Reuters)
    Damage to a home after a tornado ripped through The Preserve development as Hurricane Milton tracked across Florida, in Wellington, Florida, U.S. October 10, 2024.  Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network via REUTERS   NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
    Damage to a home after a tornado ripped through The Preserve development as Hurricane Milton tracked across Florida, in Wellington, Florida. (Reuters)
    A view shows a collapsed construction crane that fell on the building that also hosts the offices of the Tampa Bay Times, after Hurricane Milton made landfall, in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. October 10, 2024.  REUTERS/Octavio Jones
    A view shows a collapsed construction crane that fell on a building that hosts the offices of the Tampa Bay Times. (Reuters)
  • Video shows mammoth 28-foot wave crash inside Milton before slamming Florida

    Prior to slamming into land, video shot by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration drone shows a massive 28-foot wave with wind gusts of nearly 76 miles per hour, crashing about 40 nautical miles from the center of Milton.

    Footage shows a shaking drone appear to teeter back and forth, fighting high winds as the massive wave crashes, sloshing water about.

    The wave was about the equivalent height of two female giraffes.

    Watch the video from USA Today.

  • More than 80,000 people stayed in shelters as Hurricane Milton hit

    Speaking at a press conference today, Florida governor Ron DeSantis said that “over 80,000” people had stayed at shelters overnight.

    DeSantis said that rescue missions were underway, with 48 people rescued so far.

    He said that Milton was “thankfully not the worst case scenario”, and officials “will better understand” the extent of the damage caused by the hurricane as the day progresses.

  • Hurricane Milton still a Category 1 storm as it exits Florida's eastern coast

    Hurricane Milton continued to weaken early Thursday as it moved off of Florida's coast after making landfall near Sarasota on the west coast Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm, according to forecasters.

    In its 8 a.m. EDT update, the National Hurricane Center said Milton had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, making it a Category 1 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

    Forecasters located Milton about 75 miles east-northeast of Cape Canaveral, Fla., and 255 miles northwest of Great Abaco Island and was moving northeast at east-northeast at 18 mph.

    Read the full story from UPI.

  • Watch police rescue dog tied to fence in hurricane

    Police in Florida rescured a dog who had been left tied to a fence as the hurricane hit.

  • Why monster hurricanes like Milton are happening in the Gulf. It’s not geoengineering

    Hurricanes have always happened, at least for as long as we have records. But two major hurricanes in just two weeks, both hitting the Florida Gulf Coast, is highly unusual if not quite unprecedented. In 2004, two major hurricanes, Frances and Jeanne, made landfall 21 days apart in the exact same spot, Hutchinson Island.

    But on barely moderated social media, it seems weird enough that people are unintentionally spreading false statements, known as misinformation. Others do so intentionally (known as disinformation), often to get more followers on social media and help monetise their profiles.

    Read the full story from the Miami Herald.

  • Boats washed into roads in hurricane chaos

    Boats have been found washed ashore in the wake of the deadly hurricane.

    PUNTA GORDA - OCTOBER 10: In this aerial view, boats are washed ashore from when Hurricane Milton passed through the area on October 10, 2024, in Punta Gorda, Florida. The storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding throughout Central Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
    In this aerial view, boats are washed ashore from when Hurricane Milton passed through the area of Punta Gorda, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
    PORT CHARLOTTE - OCTOBER 10: A boat rests on a road after Hurricane Milton came ashore on October 10, 2024, in Port Charlotte, Florida. The storm came ashore as a Category 3 hurricane in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
    A boat rests on a road after Hurricane Milton came ashore in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
  • Hurricane Milton hit Florida as a Category 3. Here are the worst hurricanes in US history

    A construction crane fell over into an office building that houses the Tampa Bay Times headquarters, after Hurricane Milton, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Tampa Bay Times via AP)
    A construction crane fell over into an office building that houses the Tampa Bay Times headquarters, after Hurricane Milton. (Tampa Bay Times via AP)

    Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday as a a Category 3 storm and follows Hurricane Helene and long history of other storms that have caused life-altering effects for the people that are in its path. By Thursday, it had been downgraded to Category 1.

    People in states including Florida and North Carolina are still recovering from the devastation left by Hurricane Helene which made landfall at the end of September. The death toll as of Saturday had increased to more than 200 people and losses are in the billions, and another powerful storm is expected to make landfall soon.

    Read the full story from The Courier Journal.

  • Centre of Hurricane Milton pulls away from Florida's east coast

    The centre of Hurricane Milton has pulled away from the east coast of Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center.

  • How Hurricane Milton is impacting flights, cruises, hotels and theme parks across Florida

    Max Watts, of Buford, Ga., walks in the parking lot to check on a trailer parked outside the hotel where he is riding out Hurricane Milton with coworkers, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. Watts, who works for a towing company, was deployed with colleagues to Florida to aid in the aftermath of the storm. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
    The storm has brought severe flooding, affecting transport in the state. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

    Hurricane Milton made its way across the Florida Peninsula on Thursday, leaving millions without power, flooding neighbourhoods and destroying homes.

    All major Central Florida airports and theme parks have closed. And while some travellers have ended their trips early or canceled plans, others are choosing to ride out the storm.

    Read the full story from USA Today.

  • Stadium roof ripped off by hurricane

    Footage shows the roof ripped off of Tropicana Field stadium home to the Tampa Bay Rays, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

  • The Latest: Hurricane Milton is weaker but still dangerous

    Hurricane Milton brought powerful winds, a dangerous storm surge and flooding to much of Florida after making landfall along the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm.

    It weakened to a Category 1 storm as it moved through Florida early Thursday. Power outages were widespread and deaths have been reported from severe weather.

    Read the full story from the Canadian Press.

  • British expat described tiles being torn from roof and power outages amid storm

    Sitting in her pitch black home, a British expat living in Florida has shared her experience of being hit by Hurricane Milton. Jan, who did not wish to share her surname, is 68 and lives in Palmetto, Florida, but grew up in Edmonton, in north London.

    Speaking about encountering Hurricane Milton on Wednesday evening, the retired technical writer in IT told the PA news agency: “The power went out about 9pm. Something hit the house at 9.30pm and we’ve lost tiles from the roof.

    “I got this emergency radio about three or four months ago and was telling us what was happening as it was going on – the wind was going up to about 101 miles an hour and I think up until midnight, we had about 10 inches of rain.

    “All the fire alarms went off and the one in the bedroom was dripping water – the cats were running around crying and scared because of the noise.”

    She said she also has no internet and is unsure when it – and her power – may return and is unable to use most of her appliances, and will be heavily reliant on using a grill outside to cook meals.

  • Florida power outage map: 3 million Floridians without power following Hurricane Milton

    Residents are rescued from an apartment complex in Clearwater that was flooded from and overflowing creek due to Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024 in Florida. Hurricane Milton felled trees, tore roofs off buildings, and flooded streets, leaving residents of the Florida coast surveying a trail of destruction on October 10, 2024, in a state still reeling from another massive storm two weeks earlier. (Photo by Bryan R. SMITH / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)
    Rescuers work in the wake of Hurricane Milton. (Getty)

    Over 3 million people are without power after Hurricane Milton swept through Florida on Wednesday and Thursday.

    On Thursday morning, the storm was a Category 1 hurricane with a maximum sustained wind speed of 85 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is moving northeast at 18 mph towards the Sargasso Sea off of Florida's east coast.

    As of 6:30 am ET, approximately 3,245,549 customers, primarily across Central Florida, are in the dark, according to USA TODAY's data.

    Read the full story from USA Today.

  • Is Hurricane Milton’s severity linked to climate change?

    Hurricane Milton has made landfall on the Florida’s Gulf Coast, forcing millions of people to flee their homes and leaving residents to fear a trail of destruction when they return.

    Milton's rapid power surge - it grew from a category one to category five hurricane in less than 24 hours before being downgraded as it hit land - appears to be the latest example of a worrying trend, scientists have said, with climate change not only fuelling more powerful storms, but doing so more quickly.

    Read the full story from Yahoo News.

  • Video captures the eye of Hurricane Milton

    Footage shows a look inside the eye of Hurricane Milton before it made landfall in Florida.

  • Hurricane Milton floods Florida beachside pools in matter of hours

    A Florida beach resort's poolside was flooded in a matter of hours as Hurricane Milton arrived in the state on Wednesday, 9 October.

    Pink Shell Resort and Marina's pool was submerged as the Category 3 hurricane brought huge waves and strong winds with heavy rainfall.

    Portions of Florida have been devastated by the storm, with "Multiple deaths” after dozens of tornadoes spawned in St Lucie County, county Sheriff Keith Pearson said.

    Read the full story from The Independent.

  • Boat found on road after hurricane winds cross Florida

    The winds aren’t just destructive – their strength meant Florida residents have found things in places they shouldn’t be – including this boat, seen on the road in Port Charlotte.

    PORT CHARLOTTE - OCTOBER 10: A boat rests on a road after Hurricane Milton came ashore on October 10, 2024, in Port Charlotte, Florida. The storm came ashore as a Category 3 hurricane in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
    A boat rests on a road after Hurricane Milton came ashore. (Getty)
  • Man dons star-spangled shorts, waves US flag, as Milton rolls in

    A man in Sarasota, Florida, decided to experience Hurricane Milton’s impact while wearing just a pair of star-spangled shorts and a baseball cap as the hurricane rolled in on Wednesday.

    Footage from Mike Killian shows a man standing in the sea holding a US flag as rain lashes down.

    Watch the full video from Storyful.

  • Over three million now without power

    The latest figures from poweroutage.us show the number of people in FLorida without power has now risen to over three million.

    Over three million people in Florida have no power. (Power outage.us)
    Over three million people in Florida have no power. (Power outage.us)
  • In pictures: Hurricane Milton’s destructive path

    A crane is seen across 1st Avenue South near the Tampa Bay Times offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, as Hurricane Milton's strong winds tore through the area. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
    A crane is seen across 1st Avenue South near the Tampa Bay Times offices in St Petersburg. (AP)
    A vehicule is stranded on a water-flooded street after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Brandon, Florida on October 9, 2024. Milton made landfall in Florida October 9, 2024 as an
    A car is stranded on a water-flooded street after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Brandon. (Getty)
    Broken utility poles downed by strong wind gusts are seen as Hurricane Milton approaches Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. October 9, 2024. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo
    Broken utility poles downed by strong wind gusts are seen as Hurricane Milton approaches Fort Myers. (Reuters)
    FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: Robert Haight salvages what he can from his home after what appeared to be a tornado tore the roof off before Hurricane Milton's arrival on October 09, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida. He said he had just had the roof replaced two years after Hurricane Ian had damaged it. People are preparing for the storm, which could be a Cat 3 when it makes landfall on Wednesday evening. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
    Robert Haight salvages what he can from his home after what appeared to be a tornado tore the roof off in Fort Myers. (Getty)
  • Latest map shows where Hurricane Milton is expected to hit in coming hours

    The National Hurricane Center in the US has released its latest update on Milton’s trajectory. The agency says the hurricane is moving off the Florida east coast. However, it is still producing “damaging hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall” in the area.

    The latest map shows Hurricane Milton moving away from the east Florida coast. (Reuters/National Hurricane Center)
    The latest map shows Hurricane Milton moving away from the east Florida coast. (Reuters/National Hurricane Center)
  • Satellite imagery shows lightning-packed Hurricane Milton’s Florida landfall

    Timelapse satellite imagery shows frequent lightning flashes as Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida on Wednesday 9 October.

    The footage, released by the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, shows what they described as “abundant lightning” in southern Florida, where “numerous tornadoes occurred”.

    Watch the incredible video from Storyful.

  • How long does a hurricane typically last?

    Hurricanes can vary significantly in duration, typically lasting anywhere from a few days to over a week.

    Once formed, a hurricane may remain at sea for several days before making landfall – but its effects can linger for days afterward.

    The storm’s lifespan includes several phases: formation, intensification, landfall, and dissipation.

    While the winds and heavy rains may only last for a few hours during landfall, the broader impacts – such as flooding, storm surges, and power outages – can persist much longer.

  • Brits reassured there will no no UK hurricane after weather app glitch

    BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has reassured Britons that there won't be hurricane-force winds in the UK after a glitch on the weather app.

    The BBC weather app had two glaring errors: one showing wind speeds of 13,508mph in London and an extreme heatwave of 404C in Nottingham.

    It comes as Hurricane Milton, which had been a category five storm, hit central Florida in the US on Thursday, causing deaths, destroying homes and knocking out power to almost three million homes.

    Read the full story from Yahoo News.

  • What does a 15-foot storm surge look like?

    Areas of Florida continue to be under threat of storm surges, with warnings of up to 15 foot of surge issued ahead of Milton hitting the state. But what does a 15-foot storm surge look like?

  • Can US hurricanes like Milton affect the weather in Britain?

    A car is seen parked as it rains heavily in Fort Myers, Florida, on October 9, 2024 as Hurricane Milton approaches.
    Fort Myers, Florida, has been bit by Hurricane Milton. (AFP)

    Hurricane Milton marched across central Florida on Thursday, whipping up deadly tornadoes, destroying homes and knocking out power to millions of homes.

    But as residents in the US prepare for the worst, people in Britain may be wondering whether Milton could impact UK shores. And while there will be no 'direct' impact of the hurricane, there can be occasions where such severe weather events do have an indirect impact.

    Read the full story from Yahoo News.

  • What is a category one hurricane?

    Milton started off as a category five hurricane but has been downgraded to category one, the lowest classification on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

    However, with wind speeds ranging from 74 to 95mph, it can still pose significant risks. According to the scale, a category 1 hurricane can cause minimal structural damage to homes, particularly affecting roofs, siding, and gutters.

    It may lead to downed trees and power lines, resulting in widespread power outages. Localised flooding is also a concern, especially in low-lying areas due to heavy rainfall and potential storm surge.

  • Month's worth of rain falls in one hour

    A month's worth of rain has fallen in one hour in St Petersburg, Florida.

  • Footage shows devastation following Hurricane Milton

    Footage shows a neighbourhood in Palm Beach Gardens in the wake of the hurricane.

  • Lieutenant Dan: Florida man rides out deadly Hurricane Milton on his boat despite 120mph winds

    A Florida man dubbed “Lieutenant Dan” has refused to leave his boat despite Hurricane Milton’s 120mph winds - saying God wants him to stay there.

    Joseph Malinowski said that he would not leave his boat as "God told him to be there," and told Sky News that he saw out Hurricane Helene in his boat in Tampa too.

    Read the full story from the Evening Standard.

  • Taylor Swift donates 5m to hurricane relief efforts

    Taylor Swift has donated $5 million to hurricane relief efforts in Florida.

    The 'Karma' hitmaker - who is due to resume her 'Eras' tour in the state next week - has been praised for her "generous" contribution to helping those affected by Hurricane Helene who are currently preparing for another natural disaster, Hurricane Milton.

    Read the full story from Bang Showbiz.

  • Hurricane Milton tracks across Florida, bringing heavy rains

    A view of a road flooded from the storm surge caused by Hurricane Milton, in Lee County, Florida, U.S., October 9, 2024 in this handout image. Lee County Sheriff's Office via Facebook/Handout
    Flood scenes from the storm surge caused by Hurricane Milton, in Lee County, Florida. (Lee County Sheriff's Office via Facebook/Handout)

    Hurricane Milton is moving across central Florida after making landfall near Tampa with tree-snapping winds and heavy rain, raising the threat of widespread flooding and knocking out power for millions.

    Milton came ashore near Siesta Key as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday evening and is now packing winds of 85 miles (140 kilometers) per hour, the US National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory. Damaging winds are lashing central Florida and flash flood emergencies are in effect.

    Read the full story from Bloomberg.

  • Abandoned dog left tied to fence on side of I-75 hours before Hurricane Milton hits

    Florida police found an abandoned dog tied to a fence on the side of a major interstate as Hurricane Milton races toward the state.

    The Florida Highway Patrol in Tampa found what appears to be a bull terrier tied to a chicken-wire fence near Interstate 75 on Wednesday. The dog was already knee-deep in water when officers arrived, according to video shared by the Florida Highway Patrol.

    Read the full story from The Independent.

  • What is a storm surge, and what is the threat from Hurricane Milton?

    Wind-driven rain soaks a street in downtown Tampa, Fla., during the passage of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
    Wind-driven rain soaks a street in downtown Tampa, Florida, during the passage of Hurricane Milton. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

    For the second time in just two weeks, Florida residents are being warned of life-threatening storm surges hitting the state’s west coast.

    Storm surge and hurricane warnings are in effect for portions of Florida’s west and east coasts.

    When hurricanes approaches a coast, the churning winds force ocean water up on to land; atmospheric pressure from the storm also helps squeeze the water ashore. The shallower the continental shelf, the higher the threat of a dangerous surge. The water may take a couple of days to fully subside.

    Read the full story from The Guardian.

  • Key developments

    • Storm makes landfall near Siesta Key, south of Tampa Bay

    • At least 19 tornadoes confirmed, destroying homes in multiple counties

    • Multiple tornado deaths reported in town on eastern coast of Florida

    • Flash flood emergency in effect for Tampa Bay area

    • State prepared to engage in search and rescue missions overnight

  • West Florida under 'flash flood emergency'

    In West Florida, residents have been told that a "flash flood emergency" is ongoing.

  • Hurricane Milton weakens as it marches across central Florida, homes destroyed

    People use their phones to take photos and shine lights as they walk through water-flooded streets after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Fort Myers, Florida, on October 9, 2024.
    People use their phones to take photos and shine lights as they walk through water-flooded streets after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Fort Myers, Florida. (AFP)

    Hurricane Milton marched across central Florida on Thursday after making landfall on the state's west coast hours earlier, whipping up deadly tornadoes, destroying homes and knocking out power to nearly 2 million customers.

    The storm made landfall around 8:30 p.m. EDT (0030 GMT) on Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour (195 kph) near Siesta Key, the US National Hurricane Center said.

    Read the full story from Reuters.

  • Hurricane Milton tracker: See map, forecast and status

    This GOES-16 GeoColor satellite image taken at 12:15 p.m. EDT and provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. (NOAA via AP)
    Hurricane Milton shown over in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, earlier in the week before it moved towards Florida. (NOAA via AP)

    Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, about five miles west of Sarasota, as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday night, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.

    The NHC said in an 8:30 p.m. update that "life-threatening storm surge, extreme winds, and flash flooding" were happening over Florida's central peninsula.

    Read the full story from NBC.

  • Fort Meyers pictured as tornado hits

    Footage taken in Fort Meyers shows a tornado beginning as Hurricane Milton hit the state.

  • What category is Hurricane Milton now? How wide is it?

    Hurricane Milton slammed into Florida's west coast near Siesta Key on Wednesday, Oct. 9, as a powerful Category 3, pushing a massive storm surge in front of it.

    The storm, which stayed relatively compact through most of its short life, expanded dramatically in the last day as it underwent an expected eyewall replacement which caused the storm to weaken somewhat — Hurricane Milton had previously hit 180 mph, putting it in the top ten strongest wind speeds for Atlantic hurricanes — but also expand to roughly double its size.

    Read the full story from the Herald Tribune.

  • Biden tells Floridians 'We've got your backs'

    The president issues a message as Hurricane Milton was set to make landfall.

  • At least 19 tornadoes confirmed as storm rips through state

    At least 19 tornadoes were confirmed as Hurricane Milton tore through Florida bringing deadly winds and surging waters.

    Deaths have been reported across the state, as emergency services spring into action to attempt to rescue those trapped by the storm.

  • Flash flooding in Tampa

    Video showed flash flooding in Tampa as a result of Hurricane Milton.

  • Millions without power

    A Lee County Sheriff's officer patrols the streets of Cape Coral, Fla., as heavy rain falls ahead of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
    Cape Coral, Florida saw heavy rain as the storm approached. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

    Around 2.6 million people in Florida have been left without power after Hurricane Milton smashed into the state, leaving a trail of destruction in its path.

    Roofs were ripped from homes and buildings destroyed as the deadly storm made landfall.