Hurricane Milton unleashed its fury on Florida’s west coast last night, making landfall just south of Tampa and catching many off guard with its unexpected trajectory.
The storm, which was initially predicted to hit further north, instead wreaked havoc in communities along the Gulf Coast, causing significant flooding and widespread devastation.
As the storm moved through the state, over three million residents found themselves without power, grappling with the aftermath of Milton’s relentless assault.
Arriving near Siesta Key, Hurricane Milton struck as a powerful Category 3 storm, boasting maximum sustained winds reaching up to 120 miles per hour.
The impact was felt immediately, with ferocious gusts ripping sections of the roof off Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The storm didn’t just bring strong winds; it also left a wake of destruction that extended far beyond the coast.
The torrential rains accompanying Milton were nothing short of catastrophic.
St. Petersburg, for instance, was inundated with more than 16 inches of rain, leading to flash flood warnings and transforming roads into surging rivers.
Communities across the region are now facing the daunting task of recovery, with emergency services mobilizing in response to the extensive damage.
In light of the impending danger, millions were placed under evacuation orders.
Many residents opted for local shelters, believing it was a safer alternative than weathering the storm at home.
“We take this stuff seriously, and we live in a flood zone,” one shelter-goer remarked, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Before even making landfall, Milton had already started wreaking havoc.
