Hurricane Milton Devastates Florida: Over 2.8 Million Without Power as 120mph Winds Strike

Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm packing winds of up to 120 mph, has left more than 2.8 million residents without power across Florida. The storm made landfall on Wednesday night in Siesta Key near Sarasota, about 70 miles south of Tampa. This comes just two weeks after the region was hit by Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane Milton

While Tampa narrowly escaped a direct hit, nearby St. Petersburg has been severely impacted, recording over 16 inches of rainfall, leading the National Weather Service to issue flash flood warnings for western and central Florida. The city's Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, suffered significant damage as its roof was shredded by the fierce winds. In addition, a water main break forced the city to shut off water services to homes, further complicating recovery efforts.

The hurricane also spawned multiple tornadoes along the coast, causing extensive destruction. Several cranes were toppled, and emergency services are on high alert as the storm continues to bring dangerous conditions to the region.

Stay tuned to our live blog for real-time updates on Hurricane Milton's path and the ongoing emergency response.