Hurricane Milton causes devastation throughout Florida, with ‘multiple’ deaths and mass power outages: Live updates
Multiple fatalities have already been reported as Hurricane Milton wrecks havoc along the Florida coastline
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Florida residents in the path of Hurricane Milton were instructed to hunker down as the massive storm hit the state.
The hurricane made landfall early Wednesday night near Sarasota County’s Siesta Key.
The storm brought destructive tornadoes, 28ft waves, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge across multiple areas
More than 1.2 million customers were without power across the Sunshine State, according to outage tracker PowerOutage.US.
While Milton’s intensity continues to fluctuate, weakening to a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center predicts it will be “one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida”.
Federal and state officials have urged those in Milton’s path to evacuate to avoid “catastrophic” winds, up to 18in rainfall and up to 15ft of storm surge, before the major hurricane slams into Florida’s west-central coast.
Vice President Kamala Harris warned that even the toughest Floridians won’t weather the “historic” hurricane, she said on The Late Show on Tuesday night.
Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche told CNN on Wednesday that officers will stay on the streets until Milton’s winds top 45mph.
“If people need help, we’re not going to be able to come to them,” he said.
Florida will see deadly hazards, conditions well into Thursday, emergency officials warn
Milton moves inland, bringing life-threatening storm surge, extreme winds, flash flooding
‘Multiple fatalities' reported after tornado outbreak in St. Lucie County
“Multiple fatalities” have been reported in Florida’s St. Lucie County after a tornado outbreak hit the area, according to WPTV.
Sheriff Keith Pearson told the outlet multiple people were killed at Spanish Lakes Country Club.
It remains unclear how many people have died.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says next few hours will be ‘rough’ for her city
“The next few hours are going to be rough here in Tampa,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Wednesday night.
While storm surge there is no longer expected to reach 15ft, the area is under an Extreme Wind Warning.
“It’s going to move through pretty fast,” the mayor said. “We’re getting really pounded by the wind.”
Milton in photos: Category 3 storm batters Florida’s coasts
Hurricane Milton makes landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County
How is Hurricane Milton pulling water out of Tampa Bay?
Even as some parts of Florida’s coast experience storm surge, Hurricane Milton has pushed water out of Tampa Bay.
The phenomenon is called reverse or negative storm surge.
It occurs when the hurricane’s counterclockwise winds from the northern eyewall pull water out of Tampa Bay into the Gulf of Mexico.
But, when the wind direction changes, the water can refill in just a matter of minutes.
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