Hurricane Milton made landfall in Siesta Key, Florida as a Category 3 storm, causing at least four deaths and significant damage before moving into the Atlantic Ocean. While it spared Tampa a direct hit, the storm brought ferocious winds, rain, and tornadoes across the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis described the situation as a major emergency but not the worst-case scenario. The storm knocked out power to 3.2 million homes and businesses and caused the Tropicana Field roof to be ripped off by the winds. Multiple cranes were also toppled, and St. Petersburg residents faced a water main break that shut down service. In Plant City, the flooding was described as staggering, with emergency crews rescuing 35 people overnight.
Just before Hurricane Milton made landfall, tornadoes hit parts of southern Florida, with one causing destruction at the Spanish Lakes Country Club in Fort Pierce. The storm killed four people in tornadoes there. The storm eventually weakened to a Category 1 hurricane before leaving the state near Cape Canaveral. Officials had issued dire warnings to evacuate, but many faced challenges in finding resources to leave, leading them to hunker down instead. Despite mandatory evacuation orders across 15 Florida counties, some chose to stay behind and were warned to fend for themselves. As the situation continues to unfold, the full extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Milton will become clearer.
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