Early this morning, the Sunshine State woke up to the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a formidable Category 3 storm.
This latest weather event has only compounded the suffering in a region still grappling with the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Reports indicate significant flooding and extensive damage across various areas, with multiple fatalities linked to tornadoes spawned by the storm.
As of now, over three million residents are without power, leaving many in dire circumstances.
Our coverage begins in Sarasota, where NBC’s Tom Yamas has been on the ground throughout the night.
The situation here quickly escalated, as Milton tore through just north of the city in Cedar Key.
Tom described the night as chaotic and perilous, with hurricane-force winds exceeding 100 miles per hour.
Unfortunately, the intensity of the storm was so severe that local wind gauges broke, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage in real-time.
As the storm surged, Sarasota experienced a staggering five to six-foot rise in water levels.
This morning, Tom ventured outside for the first time and encountered a landscape transformed by flooding.
While the sun has yet to rise, the devastation is palpable.
He noted that the atmosphere felt oppressive, with little refuge from the relentless fury of the storm, which tragically led to loss of life as people scrambled for safety.
In a dramatic moment during the live broadcast, Tom recounted how the crew had to take cover when a transformer exploded behind them.
In an instant, the calmness of the eye of the storm shifted to chaos.
He described how one moment they were reporting with relative ease, and the next, they were forced to seek shelter as conditions deteriorated.
Fortunately, everyone remained safe, but it was a stark reminder of the storm’s unpredictability.
Meanwhile, Dylan, reporting from nearby Bradenton, echoed Tom’s sentiments about the eerie calm that precedes the storm’s backside.
He spent much of the night huddled on the bathroom floor, fearing for his safety as the winds howled outside.
Thankfully, he found refuge in a concrete hotel structure designed to withstand such storms, which proved crucial as the winds intensified once again.
As dawn broke, it became clear that the region was facing a daunting cleanup effort.
Dylan shared that the area was still reeling from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, and now, with Milton’s arrival, residents were left to grapple with a second wave of destruction.
The storm surge in Sarasota reportedly reached around ten feet, uprooting debris and causing further havoc as palm trees succumbed to the violent winds.
Local law enforcement has been active, patrolling the streets to ensure the safety of residents.
Authorities have urged people to stay off the roads until the sun rises fully, allowing officials to assess the damage and begin recovery operations.
The sheriff’s department has been vigilant, ensuring that those in need receive assistance while advising the public to remain cautious during this perilous time.
As the storm continues to move northeast, meteorologists are closely monitoring its path.
Currently downgraded to a Category 1 storm, Milton still poses risks with flash flooding and river flooding affecting millions.
Rainfall totals have reached alarming levels, with some areas reporting nearly 18 inches in just 24 hours.
The threat of additional rainfall looms, exacerbating the already precarious situation for many Floridians.
In Tampa, the effects of the storm were also evident, with images emerging of the iconic Tropicana Field losing its roof.
Originally intended as a shelter, the field now stands as a testament to the storm’s ferocity.
The winds that ripped through the area have left a trail of destruction, underscoring the power of nature.
As emergency crews work tirelessly to restore order, Chief Melanie Bevins of the Bradenton Police Department emphasized the importance of safety.
She reported that while rescue operations were underway, many residents had heeded evacuation warnings.
However, she cautioned that even in the aftermath, dangers persist, including downed power lines and hidden hazards in standing water.
This storm season has been particularly brutal for Florida, marking the third hurricane landfall in the state this year, tying for the most on record.
With the ongoing threat of severe weather, officials continue to urge residents to remain vigilant and prioritize safety as recovery efforts get underway.
As the sun rises on a battered Florida, the road to recovery will be long and challenging, but the resilience of its people shines through.
