Hurricane Milton, initially a powerful Category 5 storm, made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane. By early Thursday morning, its winds had weakened to 90 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane.
The storm has caused widespread damage, bringing flash floods and damaging winds to Florida’s central and eastern regions. Millions of people are under evacuation orders, and at least 2.7 million are without power. Several tornadoes have also struck parts of southern Florida, adding to the challenges posed by the storm.
Milton intensified rapidly over the Gulf of Mexico due to unusually warm sea surface temperatures, which scientists attribute to 2024’s record-high global air temperatures. This provided the energy for the storm to grow stronger quickly, underscoring the threat of extreme weather in a warming climate.
The National Hurricane Center warned that Milton would remain dangerous as it crosses the state, prompting evacuations and emergency measures. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell emphasized the seriousness of the situation, urging residents in storm surge areas to evacuate.
Hurricane Milton Weakens but Causes Widespread Damage in Florida, Millions Without Power as Evacuations Continue
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents near the coast to move inland, highlighting that there is space available in shelters across the state. He reported that fuel is being transported to areas like Tampa to assist with evacuations, although many gas stations have already run out.
FEMA and the Florida government have mobilized resources, including opening shelters and moving fuel supplies, in anticipation of Milton’s impact. DeSantis expects more people to seek shelter as the storm progresses.
As Milton hit, the National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for central and southern Florida, including areas like Miami. Tornadoes were confirmed near Miami and the Everglades, further compounding the storm’s destructive effects.
Floridians are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which struck in late September, killing over 225 people and leaving behind widespread damage. The back-to-back hurricanes have put significant strain on recovery efforts and emergency resources across the region.
The Justice Department has also warned against price gouging and fraud during the hurricane, advising consumers to be vigilant about scams. The department, along with President Joe Biden, urged businesses to avoid exploiting the situation, particularly airlines and retailers.
Biden emphasized the need for affordable evacuation services and noted that Milton could be the most devastating storm to hit Florida in over a century. Federal agencies are already preparing recovery efforts, deploying personnel across the Southeast to assist with disaster response.
