On October 10, 2024, Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's west coast, leaving over one million homes and businesses without power. The hurricane was downgraded to Category 2, but its impact remains severe, with forecasts indicating it will retain hurricane status throughout its path across the state.
President Joe Biden has urged residents to adhere to safety measures, emphasizing that it is 'literally a matter of life and death.' He has been in contact with Florida officials, including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Sarasota County Mayor Liz Alpert, offering federal assistance as needed.
As Milton approached, at least 19 tornadoes were reported, particularly affecting the St. Lucie County area, where multiple fatalities occurred in a retirement community. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Milton is causing flash flooding in the Tampa Bay area as it moves eastward.
The hurricane made landfall near Siesta Key around 8:30 PM local time as a Category 3 storm, generating winds of up to 205 km/h (120 mph). Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed the destruction of around 125 homes, mostly mobile residences, and warned that conditions have deteriorated to the point where evacuation is now extremely dangerous.
With the hurricane season showing above-average activity, the NHC has indicated that Milton is the third hurricane to hit Florida this year, following Hurricanes Francine and Helene. The potential damage from Milton is expected to reach billions of dollars.