Hurricane Milton Hits Florida with Devastating Winds, Floods, and Storm Surge

Photo : AP

Hurricane Milton made a ferocious landfall in Florida on Wednesday night, bringing with it powerful winds, torrential rains, and a life-threatening storm surge. The Category 3 storm struck near Siesta Key on the state’s densely populated western coast, just two weeks after residents had already endured the devastation of another major hurricane, Helene.

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The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a stern warning in its 8:30 pm bulletin, describing Milton as an “extremely dangerous” storm, with sustained winds of 120 miles per hour (205 kilometers per hour). Governor Ron DeSantis, in a press conference just before the hurricane hit, urged residents to take immediate shelter. “The storm is here. It’s time for everyone to hunker down,” he said, emphasizing the gravity of the situation as the hurricane barreled toward the coast.

Milton’s arrival has already begun wreaking havoc across the central Florida peninsula, with the NHC warning of life-threatening storm surges, extreme winds, and flash flooding. Tidal surges of up to 13 feet (four meters) were expected to inundate low-lying areas along Florida's western coastline, sparking fears of widespread chaos and potential fatalities. The state’s coastline, heavily populated and geographically vulnerable, braced for the full force of the hurricane.

As Milton moved inland, it was forecasted to carve a destructive path toward the Atlantic Ocean, placing central Florida directly in its crosshairs. The city of Orlando, a major tourist destination and home to Walt Disney World, was expected to experience the storm’s devastating impact as it progressed through the state.

On Florida’s western coast, the scene was one of destruction and fear. In Sarasota, just south of Siesta Key, gusts of wind shattered glass panes on buildings near the waterfront, while deserted streets bore the brunt of the storm. Sandbagged businesses stood shuttered as trees bent under the force of the wind. On a wooden board fixed against a window in a historic red brick building, someone had scrawled a hopeful plea: “Be kind Milton.”

Governor DeSantis, in a final address before the storm hit, warned residents that it was too late to evacuate. “Stay inside and stay off the roads,” he urged, emphasizing the dangers of floodwaters and the powerful storm surge that had already begun to flood parts of the state. Airports in Tampa and Sarasota were quickly closed, with no indication of when they might reopen.

The arrival of Hurricane Milton is made all the more concerning by the fact that it comes on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which ravaged Florida and other southeastern states just two weeks ago. Helene left widespread destruction and flooding in its wake, particularly in remote inland areas like western North Carolina. The memory of Helene was fresh in the minds of Florida’s residents as they faced Milton’s onslaught.

Randy Prior, a 36-year-old business owner in Florida, expressed the anxiety shared by many. “I am nervous,” he said. “We just went through this with the other storm—ground’s still saturated, we’re still recovering from that.” Like many others, Prior chose to stay at home and ride out Milton, just as he had with Hurricane Helene.

The severity of the situation was underscored by reports confirming “numerous tornadoes” touching down across central and southern Florida as Milton made its way inland. Emergency workers were already stretched thin from their efforts to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene, which claimed the lives of at least 235 people across the southeastern United States. Now, they face another grueling challenge as Milton unleashes its fury on the region.

In the political arena, tensions have risen in the wake of these back-to-back storms. Former President Donald Trump, now a presidential candidate, has come under fire for making baseless claims that aid is being diverted from hurricane victims to assist migrants. His comments have sparked outrage, particularly among those still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, President Joe Biden sharply criticized Trump’s remarks, accusing him of spreading misinformation. “There’s been a reckless, irresponsible, and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies,” Biden said, his frustration evident. Vice President Kamala Harris echoed these sentiments in a separate interview, calling Trump’s actions “dangerous” and “unconscionable.”

The repeated blows dealt by Helene and now Milton have underscored the increasing severity of storms in recent years, a trend many scientists attribute to global warming. Warmer ocean waters fuel more intense hurricanes, releasing additional water vapor that powers these storms, driving stronger winds and exacerbating their destructive potential.

As Milton continues its march through Florida and beyond, emergency crews, residents, and officials are preparing for what could be a long and difficult recovery, with the state once again in the crosshairs of nature’s fury.

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