Deadly storm leaves millions without power in Florida, but weakens as it moves away from the coast
Hurricane Milton slammed into Florida as a Category 3 storm with winds reaching 120 mph, but it has since weakened to a Category 1 as it pushes toward the Atlantic. Despite the downgrade, the storm continues to wreak havoc, causing flooding, power outages, and widespread damage across several parts of the state.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported multiple fatalities in St. Lucie County, along Florida’s Atlantic coast. Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed deaths in the Spanish Lakes Country Club area, though details remain unclear. Over 2 million people are currently without power, and authorities are urging residents to remain cautious.
Storm Weakens, But Threat Remains
As of now, Hurricane Milton is packing sustained winds of 110 mph, with even stronger gusts still being recorded in areas close to the shoreline. Sarasota, one of the hardest-hit cities, is facing widespread flooding and infrastructure damage. Roads have become impassable, and emergency services are working round the clock to restore some sense of order.
Flash flood warnings have been issued for millions of people, with Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater under the highest alerts. In Tampa, over six inches of rain have already fallen, with an additional eight inches expected in the coming hours. Storm drains, sewers, and canals are beginning to overflow, pushing water into city streets.
A wind gust of 100 mph was reported at Egmont Channel near Tampa Bay, signaling that dangerous conditions persist, even as the hurricane weakens.
Timeline: Hurricane Milton’s Path of Destruction
- Wednesday, 9 AM: Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120 mph.
- Wednesday, 12 PM: The National Hurricane Center confirmed the storm had caused multiple fatalities in St. Lucie County, with damage reports piling up across the state.
- Wednesday, 3 PM: Milton was downgraded to a Category 2 as it pushed further inland, but continued to cause power outages, with over 1 million Floridians in the dark.
- Wednesday, 6 PM: The storm was further downgraded to Category 1 as it approached the Atlantic, but flooding and tornadoes were still being reported.
- Thursday, 8 AM: The hurricane is expected to exit Florida, moving into the Atlantic Ocean, but the state remains on high alert for residual flooding and winds.
Milton Continues Toward the Atlantic
Hurricane Milton is expected to maintain hurricane strength as it travels across central Florida overnight, heading toward the Atlantic by Thursday morning. Cities such as Lakeland, Kissimmee, Orlando, and Cape Canaveral are all in the storm’s path, and residents are bracing for more rain and wind.
The National Hurricane Center predicts that while Milton will eventually weaken further once over the Atlantic, dangerous conditions will persist for Florida throughout the night. Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to follow evacuation orders and stay in safe locations until the storm passes.
Unprecedented Rapid Intensification
Hurricane Milton’s sudden escalation was fueled by record-breaking sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours—an almost unheard-of rate of intensification. With sustained winds of 175 mph, Milton briefly became the strongest storm on the planet in 2024.
For comparison, Hurricane Helene, which struck Florida earlier this year, only reached Category 4 when it made landfall. The rapid strengthening of Milton raised alarms across the state, with many residents still recovering from the devastation left by Helene.
Florida’s Long Road to Recovery
Even as Hurricane Milton moves away from Florida, the damage left behind will take weeks, if not months, to address. More than 2 million residents remain without power, and severe flooding continues to disrupt daily life in many cities. The death toll is expected to rise as authorities continue to assess the damage in hard-hit areas.
Conclusion: The Aftermath of Milton
Though Hurricane Milton has weakened, its impacts are still being felt across Florida. As it heads toward the Atlantic, residents must remain vigilant, especially in flood-prone areas. Emergency responders are working tirelessly to restore power and clear flooded streets, but the recovery process will be long and challenging.