Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 3 storm, made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida on October 10, 2024, causing significant damage across the state. The hurricane brought destructive winds, storm surge, flooding, and spawned numerous tornadoes, resulting in widespread devastation.
Wind Damage: Hurricane Milton's intense winds, with gusts reaching up to 120 mph, caused extensive destruction.
The storm:
- Ripped off roofs, including that of Tropicana Field, which had been set up as a shelter
- Devastated mobile home parks in the Bradenton area
- Tore apart a five-story condo building
- Downed numerous trees and signs, leaving debris scattered across roadways
Flooding and Storm Surge: While the feared catastrophic storm surge did not materialize in some areas, Milton still caused significant flooding:
- St. Petersburg experienced over 18 inches of rain, a 1-in-1000 year rainfall event
- Storm surge and debris inundated coastal areas, with water levels reaching doorknobs in some locations
Tornado Outbreak: Milton triggered an unprecedented tornado outbreak across Florida:
- The state set a new record for tornado warnings issued in a single day, exceeding 100 alerts
- Multiple fatalities were reported in St. Lucie County due to tornadoes
- Numerous homes were destroyed by tornadoes in multiple counties
Infrastructure Impact: The hurricane's effects on infrastructure were severe:
- Over 3 million people lost power across the state
- Roads were blocked by debris and flooding, hampering emergency response efforts
- A massive sinkhole emerged in Hillsboro, Florida, as revealed by daylight after the storm
Ongoing Threats: As Milton moved away from Florida, authorities continued to warn of potential dangers:
- Lingering flood risks from heavy rainfall
- Possible additional tornadoes
- Hazards from downed power lines and unstable structures
The full extent of Hurricane Milton's impact is still being assessed, but it's clear that the storm has left a trail of destruction across much of Florida, affecting millions of residents and causing significant property damage.
Citations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_dh7fFl6HE
https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/hurricanes/live-blog/hurricane-milton-live-updates-rcna174774
https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/10/weather/video/sinkhole-damage-milton-aftermath-rosales-cnntm-digvid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_REh5Fruug
https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2024-10-09-hurricane-milton-forecast-landfall-florida-storm-surge-wind
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hurricane-milton-weakens-it-marches-across-central-florida-homes-destroyed-2024-10-10/
https://news.sky.com/story/hurricane-milton-hits-florida-latest-live-updates-13230451
https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/video/hurricane-milton-destruction-bradenton-florida-first-look
https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/hurricane-milton-path-florida-10-10-24/index.html
Music: Traveling - Blue X Music
