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Deaths reported and millions without power as storm batters Florida

By 4 Mins Read

Hurricane Milton marched across central Florida on Thursday after making landfall on the state’s west coast, whipping up deadly tornadoes, destroying homes and knocking out power to nearly two million homes.

Millions of residents on Florida’s west coast have been instructed to evacuate ahead of the storm, with Tampa Bay mayor Jane Castro issuing the stark warning: “If you stay… you are going to die.”

The hurricane, which made landfall as a category three storm and subsequently weakened still further to a category one, ripped roofs from homes and stadiums and left 2.6 million people without power.

In Florida’s St Lucie County, tornadoes hit before Milton made landfall, resulting in several deaths. Florida governor Ron DeSantis said he hoped Tampa Bay, once seen as the potential bull’s eye, could dodge major damage and that the worst of the predicted storm surge could be avoided because the hurricane hit before high tide.

Follow the live blog from Yahoo News for all the latest on Hurricane Milton:

Live8 updates

  • Hurricane Milton weakens as it marches across central Florida, homes destroyed

    People use their phones to take photos and shine lights as they walk through water-flooded streets after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Fort Myers, Florida, on October 9, 2024.

    People use their phones to take photos and shine lights as they walk through water-flooded streets after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Fort Myers, Florida. (AFP)

    Hurricane Milton marched across central Florida on Thursday after making landfall on the state’s west coast hours earlier, whipping up deadly tornadoes, destroying homes and knocking out power to nearly 2 million customers.

    The storm made landfall around 8:30 p.m. EDT (0030 GMT) on Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour (195 kph) near Siesta Key, the US National Hurricane Center said.

    Read the full story from Reuters.

  • Hurricane Milton tracker: See map, forecast and status

    Hurricane Milton shown over in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, earlier in the week before it moved towards Florida. (NOAA via AP)

    Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, about five miles west of Sarasota, as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday night, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.

    The NHC said in an 8:30 p.m. update that “life-threatening storm surge, extreme winds, and flash flooding” were happening over Florida’s central peninsula.

    Read the full story from NBC.

  • Fort Meyers pictured as tornado hits

    Footage taken in Fort Meyers shows a tornado beginning as Hurricane Milton hit the state.

  • What category is Hurricane Milton now? How wide is it?

    Hurricane Milton slammed into Florida’s west coast near Siesta Key on Wednesday, Oct. 9, as a powerful Category 3, pushing a massive storm surge in front of it.

    The storm, which stayed relatively compact through most of its short life, expanded dramatically in the last day as it underwent an expected eyewall replacement which caused the storm to weaken somewhat — Hurricane Milton had previously hit 180 mph, putting it in the top ten strongest wind speeds for Atlantic hurricanes — but also expand to roughly double its size.

    Read the full story from the Herald Tribune.

  • Biden tells Floridians ‘We’ve got your backs’

    The president issues a message as Hurricane Milton was set to make landfall.

  • At least 19 tornadoes confirmed as storm rips through state

    At least 19 tornadoes were confirmed as Hurricane Milton tore through Florida bringing deadly winds and surging waters.

    Deaths have been reported across the state, as emergency services spring into action to attempt to rescue those trapped by the storm.

  • Flash flooding in Tampa

    Video showed flash flooding in Tampa as a result of Hurricane Milton.

  • Millions without power

    Cape Coral, Florida saw heavy rain as the storm approached. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

    Around 2.6 million people in Florida have been left without power after Hurricane Milton smashed into the state, leaving a trail of destruction in its path.

    Roofs were ripped from homes and buildings destroyed as the deadly storm made landfall.

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