As Hurricane Milton barrels through Florida, the state is grappling with the aftermath of relentless winds, storm surges, and torrential downpours that have created dire conditions.
The chaos began last night when powerful gusts tore off the roof of Tropicana Field Stadium, leaving it in ruins.
With the storm still wreaking havoc, officials are urging residents who chose to stay behind to hunker down and ride out the dangerous weather.
In Tampa, CBS News’ Cristian Benavides reported early this morning on the devastation unfolding in the region.
Although dawn had yet to break, the impact of Hurricane Milton was palpable.
“This has primarily been a wind event for the Tampa Bay area,” he noted, pointing out the destruction caused by the storm.
Reports of a crane collapsing in St. Petersburg, just a half-hour away, added to the concerns about debris potentially obstructing storm drains.
Benavides stood near Tampa General Hospital, a site familiar to many due to viral footage showing floodwaters threatening its barriers.
Thankfully, the flooding here has not reached the catastrophic levels seen during Hurricane Helene just two weeks prior.
However, the winds and rain from Milton have unleashed their own set of challenges.
As the storm made landfall on Florida’s west coast, it brought with it life-threatening winds, heavy rainfall, and perilous storm surges.
Residents like Angie Samaro from Bradenton, who opted to stay home outside the evacuation zone, described the intense winds howling outside.
Meanwhile, families in Newport Richey sought refuge in a middle school gym, taking the storm seriously given their flood-prone surroundings.
In the days leading up to Hurricane Milton, millions were advised to evacuate.
Florida’s governor emphasized last night that for those who ignored the warnings, it was now too late to leave safely.
“It’s too dangerous to evacuate,” he cautioned, urging everyone to shelter in place and brace for the worst.
Tragically, reports have already emerged of fatalities and injuries as tornadoes swept through parts of the state ahead of Milton’s arrival.
In Tampa, residents were still cleaning up after the devastation of Hurricane Helene when they were hit with an additional three to five inches of rain per hour from Milton.
President Joe Biden reassured the public yesterday, stating that the federal government had mobilized resources, including millions of meals and water supplies, along with thousands of personnel on the ground to assist in the response efforts.
Earlier in the week, Tropicana Field had been designated as a staging area for National Guard and emergency workers, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
As Hurricane Milton continues its destructive path, communities south of the storm’s eye face the greatest risk of life-threatening storm surges.
Areas like Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island, which were devastated two years ago by Hurricane Ian, could again bear the brunt of the storm’s fury.
With the storm still ongoing, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of those who chose to stay behind.
