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Before the storm, officials warned residents to evacuate, cautioning against the dangers of riding out the hurricane. (Screengrab)
Hurricane Milton unleashes deadly tornadoes in Florida, causing multiple fatalities and extensive damage, as rescue efforts continue in affected areas
Multiple fatalities were reported after powerful tornadoes linked to Hurricane Milton swept through parts of Florida on Wednesday, wreaking havoc across the Sunshine State.
Hurricane Milton, once a Category 5 storm, made landfall on Florida’s west coast on Thursday, weakening to a lower category but still delivering winds over 100 mph, heavy rain, and a life-threatening storm surge. US media reported that about 2 million Floridians were left without power.
The storm made landfall around 8:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour (195 kph) near Siesta Key, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Several videos going viral on social media platforms have emerged from Florida, as the storm passed through the state.
Security Cam Footage from Florida
❗️ – A security camera captured the moment an apparent tornado passed through a home in Fort Myers, Florida.Category 4 Hurricane Milton is approaching the west coast of Florida and is expected to hit the Tampa Bay region on Wednesday night.
More than 300 miles of… pic.twitter.com/TwnTv6OtPH
— The Informant (@theinformant_x) October 9, 2024
Fort Myers Beach
Stunning look inside the eye of Hurrican
Down Town Tampa
By 11 p.m. EDT, wind speeds had reduced to 105 mph (165 kph), dropping Milton to a Category 2 hurricane, nonetheless still considered extremely dangerous. The eye of the storm was 75 miles (120 km) southwest of Orlando in the center of the state.
A flash flood emergency was in effect for the Tampa Bay area including the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, the hurricane center said, with St. Petersburg already receiving 16.6 inches (422 mm) of rain on Wednesday.
Before the storm, officials warned residents to evacuate, cautioning against the dangers of riding out the hurricane, according to the New York Post.
Tornado activity was also reported an hour south in Palm Beach County, where footage captured a tornado tearing through power lines in the village of Wellington. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as cars fled the twister while flashes—possibly from a transformer blowing—lit up the background. First responders transported five individuals to hospitals, including three to trauma centers, amid reports of people trapped in overturned cars and debris, according to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
