Deadly Hurricane Milton lashes Florida with wind, flooding and tornadoes | CNN
135 people rescued from Tampa assisted living facility where operation remains ongoing
At least 135 people have been rescued from the Great American Assisted Living Facility in Tampa, where first responders on Thursday morning found residents in water up to their waists, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
A CNN team on the ground saw people in wheelchairs and walkers being loaded onto a Hillsborough County school bus as deputies and fire officials work to get them to safety. One resident told CNN the water reached his knees.
Authorities responded after receiving a call about residents trapped inside the facility around 7:05 a.m., the sheriff’s office release said.
Initial forecast for Milton from National Hurricane Center predicted landfall within 12 miles
From CNN's Brandon MillerThe first National Hurricane Center forecast for what would eventually become Hurricane Milton was remarkably accurate — only a few miles off from the storm’s actual landfall location — despite being issued when the storm was still over 850 miles and more than four days away from Florida.
The first forecast, issued on Saturday, called for the storm to become a hurricane and make landfall on Wednesday near Bradenton, just south of Tampa. Milton made landfall just 12 miles from that location in Sarasota.
The average error in NHC forecast five days out is more than 150 miles, so Milton’s forecast was far better than average.
The forecast was not without its difficulties. Wobbles and shifts pushed the forecast’s expected landfall location north and south of Tampa Bay as the storm moved across the Gulf of Mexico. These shifts had huge implications for the projected impacts for storm surge in the heavily populated region around Tampa Bay, forcing evacuations to be issued for millions of people along hundreds of miles of Florida’s western coastline.
Milton’s intensity also proved a challenge for forecasters. The initial forecast called for a 110 mph landfall, which was close to the eventual 120 mph intensity of Milton when it roared ashore in Siesta Key, but the extreme rapid intensification was not in the initial forecast.
Hurricane Milton peaked at 180 mph on Monday, one of the strongest hurricanes ever observed in the Atlantic Basin, 70 mph above the peak intensity predicted initially from the hurricane center.
Storm surge from Milton caused record water levels in Naples
From CNN's Brandon MillerStorm surge caused water levels in Naples, Florida, to reach their second-highest level on record — more than 5.2 feet over normal high tides.
The city saw its highest levels during Hurricane Ian in 2022. During Hurricane Helene just a few weeks ago, it saw 5.12 feet of water.
Meanwhile, St. Petersburg, Florida, had a 1-in-1000 year rainfall event, with 18.31 inches of rain falling on Wednesday. It was the city’s rainiest day on record — and it actually nearly tripled its previous rainiest day, which was September 1, 2001.
Rainfall also resulted in more than three million people in the Tampa area to be under a flash flood emergency.
Florida Highway Patrol reopens several major bridges after Hurricane Milton
From CNN's Artemis MoshtaghianBridges are reopening throughout the Tampa area now that the storm has moved through and officials have completed damage assessments.
The Florida Highway Patrol announced Thursday morning that the following bridges have been inspected, cleared, and are OPEN and ready for traffic as of 10 a.m. ET:
- The Skyway Bridge
- The Howard Frankland Bridge
- The Gandy Bridge
The Courtney Campbell Causeway remains CLOSED until further guidance.
Milton is first hurricane to pass within 50 miles of Tampa in over 100 years
From CNN's Brandon MillerMilton is the first hurricane to pass within 50 miles of Tampa in 100 years in a particularly rough storm season for the state.
Milton reached 180 mph, making it the strongest hurricane ever so late in the season in the Gulf of Mexico. It is also tied for sixth-strongest anywhere in the Atlantic Basin, at any point of this year.
Hurricane Milton is also the third major storm to hit Florida this year — tied for the most on record — which most recently happened in 2005. Hurricanes that have passed over the state include Debby, Helene and now Milton.
The storm is also the fifth Gulf hurricane to make landfall this year, tied for second-most with 2005 and 2020, only behind 1886.
Florida dodged "worst-case scenario," FEMA director says
From CNN's Dakin Andone and Ella NilsenFEMA Director Deanne Criswell indicated the impacts from Hurricane Milton could have been far worse, saying Thursday morning Florida dodged the “worst-case scenario.”
That does not mean, however, the state will not need resources, said Criswell, whose agency has also been responding to the devastation wrought throughout the Southeast just weeks ago by Hurricane Helene. But Florida will not need “the level” of resources “that perhaps we could have needed,” Criswell said.
Criswell also said she saw a “decrease” of misinformation in the wake of Milton making landfall.
“As we’ve looked from Hurricane Helene, we’ve had such great support from governors and congressional members, local leaders really helping to push back on that misinformation,” Criswell said. “We did see a decrease, even though there were still some voices out there trying to spread these lies, which is really unfortunate.”
Several Florida airports are closed indefinitely while officials assess hurricane damage
From CNN's Holly YanAt least three airports in Milton’s path of destruction will remain shuttered to passengers as officials investigate how much damage the hurricane may have inflicted.
Tampa International Airport said Thursday that “staff are inspecting the condition of the airfield and facilities to determine when Tampa International Airport may be able to safely reopen.”
“TPA officials plan to announce a reopening plan later on Thursday, after a thorough inspection of the 3,300-acre campus and its buildings has been completed,” according to the airport.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport said all flights are canceled Thursday and has not announced plans on when flights would resume.
And at Orlando International Airport, “Emergency crews remained onsite overnight, and damage assessment will start taking place now,” the airport posted on X Thursday morning.
“Once information becomes available about a specific time that commercial operations will resume, we’ll be sure to post about it,” it said.
Officials expect critical Tampa port to reopen after apparent minimal damage
From CNN's Andy RosePort Tampa Bay, which is a critical lifeline to Florida’s fuel supply, appears to have minimal damage from Hurricane Milton, according to the mayor of Tampa.
“There was one of the fuel containers at the port that had a roof peeled back,” said Castor, but no other damage was visible from the air.
Gov. Ron DeSantis also said the port made it through the storm nearly unscathed. “Our initial assessment is they will likely be able to resume operations very quickly,” DeSantis said.
Castor expressed relief that Milton veered south before making landfall, bringing intense rain and wind, but not massive storm surge.
“If Milton had hit on the north side, we would have been in dire circumstances,” she said.
"Some damage" to bridge connecting Lido Key and Longboat Key to Sarasota
From CNN's Rebekah RiessThe Little Ringling Bridge, which connects Lido Key and Longboat Key to Sarasota, sustained “some damage” from Hurricane Milton, according to Sandra Tapfumaneyi, chief of emergency management at Sarasota County Emergency Services.
“So we’re working on that, to be able to get out to check on some of the folks that we know had stayed. We had about a couple hundred at least, that we knew for sure on Longboat Key,” Tapfumaneyi said.
Tapfumaneyi noted that Siesta Key experienced “a great deal of flooding” from storm surge, but that water is now starting to subside.
“We are grateful that we didn’t get that higher [storm surge] prediction, but we did still get somewhere between seven to eight feet, which is more than we got at Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago,” she added.
St. Lucie County reopens bridges to North and South Hutchinson Island
From CNN's Chris BoyetteAs officials survey the damage after Hurricane Milton tore through Florida, St. Lucie County on Thursday announced the bridges that connect to North and South Hutchinson Island reopened at 9 a.m.
Still, the county encouraged people to stay off the roads.
“First responders and public works/utility crews are conducting recovery efforts. Please stay off the roads and stay inside until it has been deemed safe.”
Four people have so far been confirmed dead in St. Lucie County following tornadoes spawned by Hurricane Milton, county officials said in a news release Thursday morning.
Hurricane Milton damage "not the worst-case scenario," governor says
From CNN's Andy RoseThe Tampa Bay area avoided the most disastrous forecasts of storm surge from Hurricane Milton as the storm wobbled south ahead of landfall, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday morning.
“What we can say is the storm was significant, but thankfully, this was not the worst-case scenario,” DeSantis said.
The most significant immediate effects were power outages affecting more than three million electric customers and flooding from massive amounts of rain.
“Isolated pockets of up to 18 inches of rainfall were observed in Pinellas and coastal Hillsborough counties,” the governor said.
St. Petersburg, where 18.31 inches of rain fell, experienced a 1-in-1,000 year rainfall event.
Flooding reached further inland than usual around Tampa, and punishing winds tore the roof covering off of Tropicana Field. The governor said Sarasota County saw up to 10 feet of storm surge.
As first responders assess the damage, the head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management encouraged people in the area to stay indoors for now.
“Even though you heard the governor say this was not the worst-case scenario, we still have damage,” Kevin Guthrie said.
Over 3.3 million customers without power after Hurricane Milton
From CNN's Artemis MoshtaghianOver 3.3 million customers across Florida were without power as of 8:30 a.m. ET Thursday, according to PowerOutage.us.
The outages were most significant along Florida’s west coast in places including Hardee County, where over 9,000 customers were almost all out of power and Highlands County – where nearly 90% of customers were without power.
Milton still a hurricane lashing Florida's Atlantic Coast
From CNN Meteorologist Allison ChincharMilton still has winds of 85 mph and is centered 75 miles off of Florida’s Atlantic coast, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
All storm surge warnings have expired for the Gulf Coast of Florida, but conditions are still gnarly on the state’s Atlantic Coast.
Damaging winds will continue for a few more hours in east-central and northeastern Florida. There is also still the danger of storm surge along the east coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina this morning.
“Heavy rainfall across the central to northern Florida Peninsula through this morning continues to bring the risk of considerable flash and urban flooding along with moderate to major river flooding, especially in areas where coastal and inland flooding combine to increase the overall flood threat,” the hurricane center said.
Florida expecting casualties from "a lot of" tornadoes spun off by Hurricane Milton, DeSantis says
From CNN's Rebekah RiessHurricane Milton spun off “a lot of” tornadoes in Florida, and the state is anticipating confirmed casualties from them, Gov. Ron DeSantis said, speaking with CNBC on Thursday morning.
Four people have so far been confirmed dead in St. Lucie County following tornadoes there, county officials said in a news release Thursday morning.
The governor said first responders were conducting rescues all throughout the night as Milton battered the state. “We’ve had a lot of successful rescues from the state. I know our local partners are doing the same. We’ll get a better sense of that as the day goes on,” DeSantis said.
He expressed some relief that the storm had tracked south of Tampa, sucking water out of Tampa Bay, rather than inundating the area with 10 to 15 feet of storm surge.
“But this also cut across the entire Florida peninsula. We’ve got over 3 million people without power,” DeSantis noted.
4 dead in St. Lucie County, officials say
From CNN's Dakin AndoneFour people have so far been confirmed dead in St. Lucie County following tornadoes spawned as a result of Hurricane Milton, county officials said in a news release Thursday morning.
Some of those deaths occurred in a mobile home park officials responded to Wednesday, in a window between the tornadoes and the arrival of Milton’s winds, county spokesperson Erick Gill told “CNN News Central.” He would not say exactly how many died there.
“We had crews in there getting those residents that may have been displaced into temporary shelter, those that needed medical assistance and getting them to hospital facilities,” Gill said. “And there were some fatalities in that neighborhood, yes.”
Water 3 feet over roadways on Sanibel Island
From CNN's Andy RoseAfter evacuating the island for safety during Hurricane Milton, first responders are finding severely flooded roads as they return to Sanibel, Florida.
“First reports from crews on the island indicate that there is substantial water over roadways in excess of three feet in some areas,” the city said in a press release.
The island was under a mandatory evacuation order, although some residents chose to stay. The one roadway onto the island is closed until further notice as the city remains under a 24-hour curfew.
“There is no need to line up at the entrance to the Sanibel Causeway as it will likely be some time before the island is safe for residents and businesses to return,” the city said.
Milton's forecast for the rest of the day
From CNN Meteorologist Mary GilbertMilton’s center is about 50 miles off of Florida’s Atlantic coast, but its rain, wind and storm surge are ongoing.
Heavy rain and the storm’s current strongest winds are pounding the east coast of Florida from south of Daytona Beach to the Port St. Lucie area. Wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph are still battering parts of the Space Coast and nearby shores.
A majority of Milton’s rain will come to an end this morning, but some showers near the east coast could linger into the early afternoon.
Multiple feet of storm surge flooding is also underway along the northeastern coast and into parts of coastal Georgia. Surge levels have started to retreat along the western coast.
Milton will track farther over the Atlantic throughout the day, but breezy conditions will persist over much of the Florida Peninsula – especially for eastern coastal areas.
Rough seas and dangerous rip currents will linger through the weekend along much of the southeast Atlantic coast.
Rescue operation underway at Hillsborough County assisted living facility, sheriff says
From CNN's Dakin AndoneHillsborough County has deployed three amphibious vehicles as it undertakes rescue operations Thursday morning, including at an assisted living facility and at a hotel where elderly people had sought shelter, Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
As for those at the hotel: “These aren’t people who didn’t heed the warning. These are individuals in areas where we’ve never seen flooding, never seen flooding.
“And to go from no flooding to 3 feet of water up over your knees, I could imagine how frightening that was for everybody here,” Chronister said.
High water traps as many as 18 in Clearwater apartment complex, police say
From CNN's Amanda MusaSeveral people called 911 overnight to report they were trapped inside of their Clearwater apartment complex due to flooding from Hurricane Milton, according to Clearwater police.
Water rescues are underway as of 7 a.m. Thursday, Clearwater Police Department Public Information Officer Rob Shaw told CNN affiliate WFTS. Video shows crews loading residents onto boats in near darkness.
“We’ve got some serious flooding here at the apartment complex,” Shaw said. “We’ve had multiple calls, possibly as many as 18 residents reported they’re being trapped.”
Rescue crews found themselves maneuvering in waist deep water at the complex, according to Shaw. Residents told officials the water was chest deep at one point.
“Our crews are using inflatable boats and highwater vehicles to try to go door to door to check on people,” Shaw added. “This is probably the just tip of the iceberg and one of the reasons why we’re encouraging people to stay home and stay safe.”
Clearwater is about 30 miles west of Tampa.
"Multiple fatalities" in St. Lucie County, sheriff says
From CNN's Dakin AndoneMultiple people have died in St. Lucie County as a result of the storm, Sheriff Keith Pearson told “CNN News Central,” though he could not say exactly how many.
“Unfortunately, I do have to report that we do have multiple fatalities,” he said.
Pearson indicated a “modular home community” for residents 55 and older was hit by a tornado.
“Their whole homes with them inside were lifted up, moved, destroyed. I mean everything in the hurricane or this tornado’s path is gone.”
Pearson’s agency remains focused on rescue operations and “saving as many people as we can,” he said, noting first responders have so far completed rescues of at least 25 people.
Flooded Plant City hotel guests and employees "just had to pull together," manager says
From CNN's Isabel RosalesPeople at a Holiday Inn in Plant City, Florida, east of Tampa, got pinned in by floodwaters overnight, shocking locals who’ve never seen the water get so high, so far inland.
Coleman rode out Hurricane Milton along with hotel guests and her 77-year-old mother, Patricia Meier.
“When the water started coming in, that’s when it really got to the best of us,” Meier said.
Coleman sent ground-level guests to a higher floor as water got a foot deep inside the lobby. “We just had to pull together and make sure everybody was safe,” she said.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office used amphibious vehicles to get people out of the hotel, including lifelong Plant city residents Jack and Liz Gibbs. They have taken refuge at the Holiday Inn for past hurricanes, but this time water breached their room.
“It was about an inch or two, and she said, ‘We’ve got to do something,’” Jack Gibbs said.
By the time they got to the lobby, Gibbs said the water was nearly knee-deep, and they were relieved when they saw rescuers.
“It was scary, but praise God,” Liz Gibbs said.
No one was injured, but the manager admits she was still shaken by the damage.
“I always tried to treat this (hotel) like it’s mine, so to see this – it’s hard,” said Coleman, wiping away tears.
“DO NOT travel” and “STAY PUT NOW”: Tampa and Pinellas County order residents to remain sheltered
From CNN’s Paul P. Murphy, Holly Yan and Andy RosePinellas County issued a stern warning to residents Thursday after Hurricane Milton left the county in shambles.
“ALL RESIDENTS REMAIN SHELTERED. SEVERE DAMAGES COUNTYWIDE,” the emergency alert read.
“Many roads impassable due to downed power lines, fallen trees, debris. St. Pete, Gulfport and Lealman without water. YOU MUST STAY OFF THE ROADS until advised otherwise by county officials. This is required for emergency responders and crews to complete rescue and recovery. STAY PUT NOW.”
The county is also cut off to evacuees trying to get back home.
“Efffective immediately, all access points to Pinellas County are closed until further notice due to hazardous conditions,” the sheriff’s office posted on X. “The barrier islands will remain closed.”
Pinellas County, home to St. Petersburg and Clearwater, is in the Tampa Bay area – not far from where Milton made landfall as a devastating Category 3 hurricane.
In nearby Tampa, which has an “unprecedented” number of power outages, city officials also gave a blunt warning:
“DO NOT travel or return home until deemed safe to do so by public safety officials,” the city’s website says.
Hillsborough County sheriff urges patience as rescue teams navigate Milton’s aftermath
From CNN's Artemis MoshtaghianHillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister urged residents to be patient with rescue crews as they work throughout the night to conduct rescues and try to get to those in need of help.
“There are so many trees and powerlines down that we have to literally cut our way into these neighborhoods to be able to assess just how damaged they are,” Chronister said.
“Please be patient with us, these roadways are too dangerous – coming out here we had to change our route three different times because of downed powerlines,” the sheriff told CNN’s Kasie Hunt on Thursday morning.
Chronister said that his team currently operating on the east side of Hillsborough County, an area known for berry agriculture that typically remains above water during storms. But in the wake of Milton, the area is submerged under 2 to 3 feet of floodwater.
In the northern part of the county, another area that usually withstands storms without flooding, the water levels rose so high at an assisted living facility that rescue crews had to deploy airboats to evacuate residents.
“Out here they’ve lost power, they’re standing in 2 to 3 feet of water, as you can imagine, they’re quite traumatized,” Chronister said.
The sheriff urged residents weathering the storm to refrain from taking any actions on their own. “It’s too dangerous,” he emphasized. “I understand that everyone is eager to leave, but please, wait for our official all-clear.”
“Hang tight for just a little bit longer, until we can assess what’s safe and what’s unsafe.”
Tampa mayor warns flooding danger is not over
From CNN's Andy RoseThe danger of flooding in Tampa will continue this morning, even though the city avoided the worst storm surge fears, the mayor said in a briefing Thursday morning.
Castor said she will take an aerial tour of the city at first light to get a better look at damage, which knocked out power to most Tampa Energy customers.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said officers responded to a house overnight where 15 people were trapped by a fallen tree, including young children. All of them were rescued.
Multiple people rescued from under debris, overturned vehicles after reports of tornadoes in Palm Beach County
From CNN's Sara SmartMultiple residents in Palm Beach County were rescued after tornadoes reportedly touched down in the area on Wednesday evening, authorities said.
Some of those rescued were trapped under debris or stuck in vehicles that were overturned due to the strong winds, according to the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
Emergency 911 calls started around 5 p.m. on Wednesday and continued for nearly an hour, according to fire rescue.
“Our crews on the scene reported several damaged homes, vehicles picked up and moved, and debris all over the area,” Fire Rescue said in a post on Facebook.
Fire officials urge residents to stay off the roads in the area as they work on removing debris.
Video shows structure damage in Tampa
00:14 - Source: CNN
Five patients, including three trauma patients, were transported to local hospitals and many other walk-up patients were treated for minor injuries, according to the post.
Tropicana Field was set up to be a refuge for thousands of storm personnel. Then the roof blew off
From CNN's Holly Yan and Kathleen MagramoHurricane Milton ripped off the roof of Tropicana Field, a Major League Baseball stadium that was set to be the makeshift shelter for thousands of first responders and cleanup crew.
Aerial footage above the stadium showed rows of empty cots surrounding the baseball diamond where the Tampa Bay Rays play.
“This is one of the most surreal things ever,” storm chaser Jonathan Petramala told CNN after he arrived at the stadium in downtown St. Petersburg.
Petramala said it was “like a maze to get through” the floodwater and debris as he drove from Tampa to St. Petersburg. He said several mobile home and trailer parks were “getting ripped to shreds.”
Earlier this week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tropicana Field would be used as a 10,000-person base camp for debris cleanup operations and first responders.
No injuries were reported after the roof was destroyed, and officials urge residents to avoid the area of downtown St. Petersburg, a spokesperson for the city said.
CNN has reached out to the Rays and MLB for comment.
CNN’s Colin Jeffery and Jacob Lev contributed to this report.
"Unprecedented number" of power outages in Tampa area, utility CEO says
From CNN's Andy RosePowerful winds that lashed the Tampa area as Hurricane Milton made landfall left 70% of Tampa Electric’s utility customers in the dark.
“We have an unprecedented number of our customers who are without power,” Tampa Electric President and CEO Archie Collins told CNN’s Kasie Hunt Thursday morning.
Collins said the full extent of the damage to the local power grid is not known because it’s still not safe for crews to travel.
Hurricane Milton was the worst he’s ever personally seen when it comes to damage to power systems, Collins said.
“It’s going to be a busy day today, just trying to prioritize safety and open things up here in our community,” he said.
Milton's eye is exiting Florida's east coast. But flash floods and storm surge may continue
From CNN's Jessie YeungThe eye of Hurricane Milton, which traveled overnight from near the Tampa Bay area east toward Orlando and Cape Canaveral, is now moving past the Florida peninsula and exiting the east coast, according to CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam.
But the storm – currently a Category 1 hurricane – is still slamming parts of the coast with onshore wind that could create tornadoes along Florida’s Treasure Coast, Van Dam said. For instance, Daytona Beach is recording wind gusts of 83 mph. Storm surge of up to 4 feet is still possible along the coast as the storm departs.
Heavy rains also still pose a risk, with some places receiving months’ worth of rainfall within one day. Flash flooding is now being reported in Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located, stretching north and east toward Orlando where flood warnings are still in place.
That mix of water – inland flooding trying to drain away through rivers and creeks toward the coast, and storm surge coming the other way – could cause even worse flooding that might not drain until the hurricane has traveled farther away.
Tornado flattened homes like "a weight dropped from the sky," St. Lucie County resident tells local paper
From CNN’s Kathleen MagramoAs authorities report fatalities have occurred in Florida due to tornadoes spawned from Hurricane Milton, details are trickling in regarding the extensiveness of the devastation.
A witness told Treasure Coast Newspapers that a tornado was spotted at the Spanish Lakes Country Club north of Port St. Lucie, along Florida’s Atlantic coast.
“It looked like someone had dropped a weight from the sky and flattened a bunch of houses,” Doug Anderson, a resident of Lakewood Park in St. Lucie County, told the news outlet.
Anderson said he witnessed numerous people with injuries, and property damage from the tornado was also extensive.
“One of the last houses I went to looked like it had been ripped in half,” he was quoted as saying. “The people were out front crying.”
Water rescue underway at Plant City Holiday Inn, Hillsborough sheriff says
From CNN's Isabel RosalesWater rescues are now underway in Hillsborough County, the sheriff’s office said.
There are reports of people trapped at a Holiday Inn near Interstate 4 in Plant City, with water rushing in to the bottom floor. Plant City is east of Tampa.
The sheriff said rescuers will be using amphibious vehicles to reach people inside the hotel.
Col. Anthony Collins of the sheriff’s office said they are also responding to an assisted living facility with dozens of patients reportedly unable to exit due to flooding.
“This assisted living facility is not in a flood zone. They’re not in an evacuation zone,” said Chronister. “They never thought in a million years they would have this kind of water. Now they’re in too deep.”
Crews responding to calls in Port St. Lucie, where tornadoes impacted communities
From CNN’s Sara SmartSeveral communities in the Port St. Lucie area were impacted by direct hits of tornadoes overnight, according to the city manager.
One of the areas hit by tornadoes was a senior mobile home retirement community, Port St. Lucie Assistant City Manager Teresa Lamar-Sarno said.
First responders in the area are working on search and rescue where needed, Lamar-Sarno told CNN’s Victor Blackwell on Thursday morning.
Crews are receiving consistent calls from residents while dealing with strong winds in the area.
Once daylight breaks, crews will be able to better assess the areas that were damaged by the tornadoes, authorities said.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson previously told CNN that fatalities were reported after a tornado ripped through a mobile home retirement community in St. Lucie County.
More than 3 million customers are out of power in Florida
From CNN's Jessie YeungMore than 3 million households and businesses have lost power across Florida, according to PowerOutage.us.
So far the worst-hit communities are mostly in the Tampa Bay area, such as Hardee County with 97% of tracked customers out of power, and Manatee County with 85% of customers out of power.
The number of power outages may continue to rise as Milton, now a Category 1 hurricane, makes its way to Florida’s east coast. The extent of its damage so far remains unclear as officials wait for daybreak to assess conditions, with some beginning recovery efforts in the early hours of Thursday.
Recovery efforts underway in Hillsborough County, officials say
From CNN's Dalia FaheidPost-storm recovery efforts began in some parts of Hillsborough County, Florida, early Thursday morning – about seven hours after Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key as a dangerous Category 3 storm.
“Please stay home, as we have received reports of downed trees and flooded streets,” the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
Wind gusts of 100 mph were recorded near Tampa, where a flash flood emergency was issued and emergency services have been halted.
Over 500,000 homes and businesses throughout Hillsborough County were left without power as of 3:30 a.m. ET.
Technicians have been working to address power outages in order to keep its communications center running, the sheriff’s office said, so residents can reach law enforcement if they need assistance during the storm.
Orlando police and fire crews are back on the road after sheltering during worst of the storm
From CNN's Sara SmartOrlando’s police and fire department personnel are back on the road to respond to calls for service after briefly taking shelter due to powerful wind speeds overnight, the city of Orlando announced.
However, residents should continue to shelter in place and only call 911 in cases of emergency, the city said.
For less urgent reports, such as damage and downed trees, people can call the city’s Citizen Info Line.
Residents rescued from homes in waist-deep water in Pinellas County, NWS says
From CNN's Sara SmartSome residents in Pinellas County were rescued from floodwaters as high as their waists after Hurricane Milton passed through the area.
Jennifer Hubbard, warning coordinator meteorologist for the National Weather Service, told CNN’s Erica Hill on Thursday morning that some areas will see continued rain and frequent wind gusts as Milton pushes off the east coast on Thursday morning.
“It’s going to be awhile with all of the water that fell from the sky today that we’re going to be dealing with through at least next week,” Hubbard said.
Water rescues took place in Pinellas County throughout the night as there were reports of residents being waist-deep in water in their homes, according to Hubbard. She did not have an exact number of people rescued.
NWS is expecting “moderate to major” river flooding throughout the week as a result of the significant rainfall from the storm.
Pinellas County is on the west coast of Florida and is home to St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Dunedin.
Watch: Floodwaters engulf Fort Myers on Wednesday night
On Wednesday evening, LeeAnn Golson watched as the floodwater that had engulfed Fort Myers receded – and feared it meant the worst had yet to come.
“We were underwater and now the streets are dry, it’s really eerie for what’s to come,” said Golson, who runs LeeAnn’s Paradise Vacation Rentals at Fort Myers beach.
Videos shared by Golson show houses half-submerged and the entire street flooded, with palm trees whipping furiously in the strong wind.
Golson stayed behind despite evacuation orders in Lee County, and said the power has been out for the past 3 to 4 hours.
“[Hurricane] Ian was the absolute worst and I pray to God this is not that,” she said.
Watch the video:
Video shows floodwaters engulfing Fort Myers
01:41 - Source: CNN
At least 27 tornadoes were reported across Florida on Wednesday
From CNN Meteorologist Robert ShackelfordAt least 27 tornadoes were reported in Florida on Wednesday as Hurricane Milton loomed over the state, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The NWS is still working to confirm all of the reports, an activity that will take some time due to storm conditions.
Cumulatively, more than 125 tornado warnings were issued Wednesday by NWS offices in Tampa Bay, Melbourne and Miami. This is the most tornado warnings ever issued in a single day for the state of Florida, crushing the previous record of 69 set on September 10, 2017 (during Hurricane Irma).
A tornado in St. Lucie County proved deadly for some residents of a mobile home retirement community, county sheriff Keith Pearson told CNN. The sheriff declined to provide an exact number of deaths, but said it was “more than one person.”
Ultimately, hundreds of homes were “completely totaled” by tornadoes in the county, Pearson said. And that was before Milton had even arrived.
Daytona Beach weather radio transmitter is off the air, National Weather Service says
From CNN's Dalia FaheidA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio transmitter serving seven central Florida counties is currently off the air, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, Florida.
The Daytona Beach transmitter, operating on a frequency of 162.400 MHz, serves Lake, Brevard, Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Putnam and Flagler counties, the weather service said in a post on social media early Thursday morning.
NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from National Weather Service offices across the country. The broadcasts include warnings, watches, forecasts, current weather observations and other hazard information, 24 hours a day, according to the service.
Alternate transmitters that serve the Daytona Beach listening area include: 162.475 MHz in Orlando, 162.425 MHz in Palatka, 162.500 MHz in Sumterville, 162.550 MHz in Melbourne and 162.475 MHz in Gainesville.
Officials eager for daylight to assess damage following Hurricane Milton
From CNN's Sara SmartOfficials in Florida are awaiting daylight to assess damage in their cities as Hurricane Milton continues to barrel across the state.
“We don’t know what we’re going to see when it’s daylight here,” Tampa City Council Chairman Guido Maniscalco told CNN’s Erica Hill on Thursday morning.
Maniscalco said the strong gusts of winds have been terrifying to hear throughout the night.
“The wind is terrifying, I’ve never heard anything like it, and I’ve been in Tampa my whole life,” Maniscalco said. He says the biggest concern in the area is storm surge and any damage that may follow.
Charlotte County Commissioner Bill Truex says first responders are eager to get out when daylight breaks to help residents that may be in need following the storm.
“We do not have a hospital within 30 miles that’s open,” Truex said as hospitals in Charlotte County and nearby Englewood both closed ahead of the storm.
A few calls were made throughout the night, which first responders handled, but nothing significant was reported, Truex said.
CNN correspondent: The worst of Milton may have passed Tampa, but it's still too dangerous to go outside
Though authorities and meteorologists had feared Tampa would bear the heaviest brunt of Hurricane Milton, it appears the city has avoided the kind of devastating 15-foot storm surge that had been forecast, said CNN Correspondent Brian Todd.
But, he added, the amount of rain surpassed the forecast – receiving up to five months’ worth of rain in just a few hours. “I’ve never really seen sheets and walls of water coming down from a hurricane,” he said, speaking from Tampa.
Now, several hours after Milton first made landfall, the eye of the storm has moved east through central Florida. But the Tampa Bay area isn’t out of the woods yet, Todd warned, calling it “one of the most relentless hurricanes I’ve ever covered.”
The wind and rain have picked up yet again after having died down somewhat earlier in the night, he said.
And he warned residents not to venture out just because the worst of the storm might have passed. Downed power lines and other dangers could easily turn fatal, he said – including ponds on streets that are far deeper than they appear, which could potentially drown unaware drivers.
Earlier in the night, the storm pushed the water out of Tampa Bay, leaving it looking almost like “a dry riverbed,” he added. Now, in the early hours of Thursday morning, the water will begin being pushed back into the bay – and once daylight breaks, the extent of the storm surge and water levels will become more clear.
Power outages soar to nearly 2.8 million
From CNN's Sara SmartNearly 2.8 million homes and businesses across Florida are without power early Thursday as Hurricane Milton sweeps across the state, according to PowerOutage.us.
The most significant outages surround Sarasota County, where Milton made landfall on the island of Siesta Key Wednesday night.
Hillsborough County had the most outages as of 2 a.m. ET with 510,000 in the dark. In nearby counties, between 80% and 97% of energy customers are without power, including in Sarasota, Manatee and Hardee counties.
Outages will only keep ticking upward as Milton’s far-reaching winds barrel toward Florida’s east coast Thursday morning.
Florida residents have learned lessons from previous storms. Here’s what mayors are saying
From CNN's Kathleen MagramoParts of Florida were scrambling to clean up the debris from Hurricane Helene that slammed the state just two weeks ago, leaving them with not enough time to prepare for Milton.
As fierce storms become more frequent, some mayors say people have heeded their calls to evacuate and prepare for the worst.
Here’s what they told CNN:
Fort Myers: At least two tornadoes touched down in Fort Myers, with one taking down pool furniture and streetlights and another ripping the covering off of gas pumps, said Mayor Kevin Anderson.
“The good thing about this storm is that our downtown businesses prepared for it. They didn’t prepare for Helene or Ian but this time they did,” he said.
Even though people are “getting used” to the storms, Anderson said he was concerned about the debris from the tornadoes and damage from winds.
“Right now, we are just waiting for the storm to pass, so they can get out of there to start clearing the roads and … start handling the services,” Anderson said.
Gulfport: Milton has brought the most significant winds Mayor Sam Henderson has seen in Florida.
There’s a been a real difference from storm to storm, the mayor said. He said Helene had damaging storm surges while Milton brought in incredible wind and rains.
“But the worst of it has passed us by, the winds are subsiding but we are still getting substantial gusts, but we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Henderson said.
Henderson added that residents did heed calls to evacuate, saying consecutive storms have been “a real wake-up call for a lot of people.”
Hurricane-force wind gusts are now impacting Florida's east coast
From CNN Meteorologist Taylor WardHurricane Milton continues to spread dangerous flooding and damaging winds across much of central Florida. Hurricane-force wind gusts have now reached the state’s east coast.
Cape Canaveral recently reported a wind gust of 76 mph, and Daytona Beach had a 75 mph gust.
Milton continues to be a Category 1 hurricane with 90 mph winds. It is located 30 miles of Orlando and is moving east-northeast at 16 mph.
The center of Milton will move offshore of the state’s east coast before sunrise Thursday with rain and wind gradually easing during the morning hours.
Life-threatening flash flooding slams Orlando area
From CNN Meteorologist Taylor WardA rare considerable flash flood warning has been issued for more than 2.5 million people in Florida and encompasses Orlando, Deltona and Daytona Beach.
Already, between 5 and 9 inches of rain have fallen, and additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches are possible in the warned area, the National Weather Service said.
The second out of three flash flood warning levels is used to indicate that “flash flooding capable of unusual severity or impact is imminent or ongoing and urgent action is needed to protect lives and property,” according to the weather service.
Collapse of crane in St. Petersburg sounded like a "train wreck," resident says
From CNN's Amanda JacksonSt. Petersburg resident Makenna Caskey and her aunt were sheltering from the storm when they heard what “sounded like a mix of thunder booming, and the metal screeching sound of a train wreck.”
That sound was a tower crane in the downtown area collapsing and falling onto a building – the one right across from Caskey’s own apartment.
At the same time, Caskey and her aunt felt “a massive rumbling tremor that shook our whole building,” she said. “Plates, bowls, furniture, it felt like something collided with our building.”
After the winds died down a little, she ventured outside, using trees and neighboring buildings to provide cover from the ongoing gusts, to investigate – and realized what had happened. Videos from CNN’s team on the ground show the crane lying horizontal on the road amid heavy rain.
“I’m safe, as are my aunt and our dog, and the residents in our building,” Caskey said. “But the collapse and crash of the crane was about a hundred feet or so from our building, and nearly had a very different outcome.”
Hurricane Milton is unleashing life-threatening flooding and destructive winds. Here's what we know
From CNN StaffHurricane Milton dropped thousand-year rainfall and unleashed life-threatening storm surge with destructive winds across a large stretch of Florida after making landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, Wednesday night.
The hurricane, which came ashore as a Category 3 storm with 120 mph sustained winds, weakened to a Category 1 as it moved over land. But even as it weakens, it continues to be a dangerous storm.
President Joe Biden was briefed after Milton made landfall earlier Wednesday night, according to a statement from the White House.
Here’s what to know:
- More than 2 million people without power: Power outages have soared across Florida as Hurricane Milton charges inland — doubling to 2 million homes and businesses without power in about 3 hours, according to PowerOutage.us. Near Siesta Key, where the storm made landfall, some counties are reporting more than 70% of energy customers without power.
- Fierce wind gusts over 100 mph: Dangerous wind gusts were observed Wednesday in multiple locations around the Tampa area and west-central Florida region where Hurricane Milton made landfall. Peak wind gusts recorded so far include 107 mph in Venice and 105 mph at Egmont Channel at the mouth of Tampa Bay.
- Tornado leaves multiple dead: Deaths were reported in St. Lucie County, Florida, after a tornado tore through a mobile home retirement community, the county sheriff told CNN, though he declined to provide an exact number. “We are not going to get into how many, but I can tell you it’s more than one person who has lost their life,” Sheriff Keith Pearson said. Hundreds of homes in the county were “completely totaled” by tornadoes, he added.
- A path of destruction: The true scale of Milton’s destruction will come to light when the sun rises Thursday morning, but CNN crews and local officials are already reporting flooded roads, flying debris and significant home damage. In St. Petersburg, winds shredded the roof of the MLB stadium Tropicana Field and collapsed a tower crane into a building. And in Tampa overnight, life-threatening flash flooding inundated roads while transformer explosions lit up the sky.
- St. Petersburg seeing 1-in-1,000 year rainfall: More than 16 inches of rain fell in St. Petersburg in only three hours — more than three months of the average rainfall for the city — as Hurricane Milton’s heaviest rain band parked itself over the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday evening.
- Milton is the third hurricane to hit Florida this year: A record-tying three hurricanes have slammed into Florida this year: Debby, Helene and now Milton. This has only happened in five other hurricane seasons since 1871 — more than 150 years of history.
- What to expect next: Milton will retain its hurricane strength as it tracks across central Florida through Thursday morning. Cities like Lakeland, Kissimmee, Orlando and Cape Canaveral are all in the forecasted path.
You can track Milton here.
Correction: A previous version of this post misstated the first hurricane that struck Florida this year. It was Debby.
Fatalities reported from tornado at mobile home retirement community in St. Lucie County, Florida
From CNN's Taylor RomineFatalities are reported after a tornado ripped through a mobile home retirement community in St. Lucie County on Florida’s eastern coast, the county sheriff told CNN.
Around 200 people from state and local agencies are searching for people trapped at the retirement community where the tornado “left a path of destruction,” he said. He added that search and rescue teams are facing 50 mph winds and rain as they look for those who may be stuck.
While the only fatalities appear to be in the retirement community, hundreds of homes were “completely totaled” by tornados across the county, Pearson said, including a 10,000 square-foot storage facility the Sheriff’s Department uses for emergency equipment.
Tampa ceases emergency services due to dangerous Milton winds, fire chief says
From CNN's Emma TuckerThe danger posed by Hurricane Milton’s over 100 mph winds has prompted officials in Tampa to halt emergency services until it’s safe for first responders to be on the ground, the city’s fire chief said.
“We had to cease all services because it’s too dangerous to put first responders out on the road,” Tampa Fire Chief Barbara Tripp told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “A lot of residents are without power. Milton is definitely visiting Tampa.”
Tripp noted the winds are also bringing gusts of 70 mph, and emergency units can safely operate in maximum 40 mph winds. At least 400,000 people in the city are without power, the fire chief said.
St. Petersburg shuts down water services citywide due to water line break
From CNN's Dalia FaheidCity officials in St. Petersburg, Florida, have shut off drinking water service citywide as they respond to a water main break.
“Residents and businesses should prepare for this temporary shutdown, which is expected to last until the necessary repairs can be completed,” the city said in a news release announcing the shutdown starting at midnight.
Water line repairs will begin once it’s safe for crews to be outdoors, the city said. Impacted areas may be experiencing low water pressure or service interruptions, according to the city.
The city has issued a boil water notice for all potable water used for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth. Once the system is restored, testing will be conducted to ensure water is safe before the notice is lifted, officials said.
Florida's Martin County reports multiple injuries and dozens of homes damaged
From CNN's Dalia FaheidOfficials in Martin County, Florida, say several injuries have been reported and dozens of homes have been damaged as Hurricane Milton slams the state with strong winds, heavy rain and damaging tornadoes.
Some homes have been “severely” damaged, Martin County Fire Rescue said in a post on X Wednesday night. Both serious and minor injuries have also been reported, but no fatalities have been reported at this time.
Residents should continue to stay off roads, Martin County officials urged. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has also implemented a countywide curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. “because of the significant damage caused by multiple tornadoes in Martin County, as well as deteriorating weather conditions expected through the night.”
The county is in the southeastern part of the state near St. Lucie County, where “multiple fatalities” occurred from a tornado outbreak earlier in the day.
CNN on the scene: Here's what it's like as Milton slams Florida
From CNN's Kathleen MagramoCNN correspondents on the scene in Florida are witnessing the ferocity of Hurricane Milton as intense winds, rain and tornadoes rip through the state.
Here’s what CNN is seeing around parts of Florida:
St. Petersburg: Heavy rain is being blown violently in one direction. Five inches of rain fell in just one hour, and more is to come in the following hours, according to CNN’s Bill Weir.
“I just can’t I can’t help think about all those souls went through Helene who already had to deal with moldy drywall, and now this is going to cause so much heartache or so much stress across Florida.”
Bradenton: “This thing is really changing every couple of minutes. It’s very unpredictable,” CNN’s Anderson Cooper reported, adding power has been flickering on and off over the past hour. “This storm has changed a number of times.”
Sarasota: Winds remain extremely strong after the eye of Hurricane Milton passed through the area, with CNN’s Randi Kaye saying “It’s like a punch to the gut when it gets you.”
Tampa: “It is relentless. It is violent and it is dangerous out here,” CNN’s Brian Todd said as heavy rain lashes downtown. No one could be seen out in the neighborhood as “it’s simply too dangerous.”
“This road is starting to flood and … the flooding is going to get much worse because this water basically has nowhere to go.”
Watch more from Anderson Cooper as Hurricane Milton made landfall:
Anderson Cooper shows what Milton’s storm surge looks like
01:52 - Source: CNN
Milton is the third hurricane to hit Florida this year. It ties a grim record
From CNN Meteorologist Mary GilbertA record-tying three hurricanes have slammed into Florida this year: Debby, Helene and now Milton.
This has only happened in five other hurricane seasons since 1871 – more than 150 years of history.
The last time three hurricanes struck Florida in a single season was 2005, according to hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach. It also occurred in 2004, 1964, 1886 and 1871.
No season on record has had more than three hurricanes strike Florida.
Correction: A previous version of this post misstated the first hurricane that struck Florida this year. It was Debby.
St. Petersburg saw a 1-in-1000 year rainfall event
From CNN Meteorologist Brandon MillerMore than 9 inches of rain fell in only three hours as Hurricane Milton’s heaviest rain band parked itself over the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday evening. This represents more than a 1-in-1000 rainfall for St. Petersburg.
It also means that more than three months of average rainfall for the city fell in only three hours.
0 Comments
Yorum ekle