Power outages and severe storms hit Sarasota County
Hurricane Milton has already caused severe impacts on Florida’s west coast as it quickly moves inland. The storm, classified as a Category 3 hurricane, brought extreme winds, flooding, and dangerous storm surges to the region, leaving around 160,000 people without power in Sarasota County. Local emergency management authorities are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds.
Sandra Tapfumaneyi, the head of Sarasota County’s emergency management, warned that the area has already faced storm surges of 1.5 to 1.8 meters, and anything higher would be catastrophic. “We are prepared for the worst-case scenario, but we hope the impact will be minimized,” Tapfumaneyi stated.
Hurricane hits coast with winds of 185 km/h
The eye of Hurricane Milton made landfall last night, roughly half an hour before 9 p.m., near Sarasota. The storm arrived with sustained winds of 185 km/h, keeping it classified as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Although the hurricane has lost some strength as it moves inland, the National Hurricane Center continues to warn of extreme winds and ongoing dangerous conditions.
As of 9 p.m., the hurricane was about 8 kilometers north of Sarasota, moving east-northeast at a speed of 24 km/h. Meteorologists indicate that Milton’s progression could result in torrential rains, raising the risk of flash flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.
Immediate consequences: power outages and evacuations
With widespread power outages, the situation in Sarasota County has become increasingly critical. Hospitals and emergency centers are running on generators, and authorities are implementing evacuation plans for high-risk areas. Tapfumaneyi emphasized the need to keep citizens safe and assured that rescue teams are on standby to respond to emergencies.
The storm’s impact is also being felt on the roads, where traffic has been halted in several areas due to flooding and fallen trees. Public transportation services have been suspended, and residents are advised to stay indoors until the storm fully passes.
Risk of further natural disasters as Milton moves inland
Although the hurricane has weakened somewhat as it moves inland, authorities warn that the risk of natural disasters remains high. In addition to ongoing flooding and strong winds, there is the possibility of tornadoes, which are typical in post-hurricane conditions and could cause further destruction in already affected areas.
Experts are closely watching for the potential formation of tornadoes in regions north of the storm’s path, where the interaction between warm air and storm winds could intensify these conditions. “We’re not out of danger yet,” said meteorologist Henry Sanders from the National Hurricane Center.