Hurricane Milton made a devastating landfall on Wednesday near Siesta Key along Florida's Gulf Coast. As a formidable Category 3 storm, it unleashed powerful winds, deadly storm surges, and potential flooding across much of the state, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
The storm drew immense energy from the exceptionally warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, twice surging to a Category 5 status before making landfall. This unprecedented strengthening underscored the storm's potential for destruction and raised alarms throughout the region.
Siesta Key, a picturesque barrier island famed for its white-sand beaches and home to approximately 5,500 residents, bore the initial brunt of Milton's fury. Located about 113 kilometers south of Tampa, the community faced significant threats from storm surges and high winds. While Tampa avoided a direct hit, the area still contended with dangerous conditions as Milton's reach extended far beyond its eye.
The impact of Hurricane Milton was immediate and widespread. Nearly 700,000 customers were left without power in Florida around the time of landfall, as reported by PowerOutage.us. The storm's deadly surge affected much of Florida's Gulf Coast, including densely populated areas such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Fort Myers, disrupting lives and causing significant infrastructural damage.
Emergency services have been mobilized across the state, urging residents to seek shelter and heed evacuation orders. As the situation unfolds, authorities are focused on rescue operations and assessing the full extent of the damage caused by this powerful hurricane.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
