SIESTA KEY, Fla. − Hurricane Milton roared through the Florida Peninsula on Thursday, causing widespread destruction from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic. At least 11 fatalities have been reported, and millions are without power, though it managed to avoid the feared “worst-case scenario” anticipated by meteorologists, officials, and residents.

Milton unleashed its fury by flooding neighborhoods, demolishing homes, tearing the roof off a large sports venue, and even knocking a giant crane onto an office building. Confirmed deaths include two in St. Petersburg and Volusia County, with one each in Polk and Citrus counties, and five in St. Lucie County on Florida’s east coast due to tornado activity.

Power outages continued to increase throughout the day as the storm moved off the eastern coast, leaving nearly 3 million households and businesses without electricity, as reported by poweroutage.us.

“The storm was significant, but thankfully, it did not turn out to be the worst-case scenario,” said Governor Ron DeSantis during a press briefing Thursday. He mentioned that the storm weakened before reaching land and that the storm surge “was not as severe overall compared to what was observed during Hurricane Helene.”

Updates:

∎ The center of Milton was moving away from Florida on Thursday. As per the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. update, it was located 135 miles east-northeast of Cape Canaveral, barreling along at 20 mph with sustained winds of 80 mph.

∎ Pasadena Hospital in St. Petersburg temporarily closed as HCA Florida Healthcare evacuated hundreds of patients from hospitals located in mandatory evacuation zones.

Images of Hurricane Milton highlight the storm’s strength

Photographers are currently capturing striking images of Hurricane Milton’s destructive journey across Florida.

Severe Damage and Anger in Siesta Key, Where Milton Landed

On the severely impacted Siesta Key, where the storm’s eye made landfall, authorities closed bridges to the island but permitted anxious residents to walk across a bridge to inspect their homes. Many structures had suffered significant damage from Helene just two weeks prior, and some residents had only recently completed their clean-up efforts before Milton struck the island. “Oh my God, I can’t even bear to look at my house,” expressed Maria Williams, 48, as she navigated through muddy water covering parts of Midnight Pass Road, the island’s main road. Williams initially intended to ride out Helene but fled when floodwaters invaded her home. For Milton, she opted to evacuate to the mainland. “I’m completely traumatized; I just had to escape,” she shared.

Later, Williams reported that her house appeared to be intact, though fallen trees were scattered everywhere. However, the back-to-back storms left her feeling defeated. “I just wish my entire house would wash away,” she lamented.

Milton Causes Fatalities Across the State

In Volusia County, located to the northeast of Orlando, at least two individuals died as a result of the hurricane, according to sheriff’s office spokesperson Andrew Gant. The victims included a 79-year-old woman in Ormond Beach and a 54-year-old woman in Port Orange, both of whom were killed by falling trees, Gant stated. He also noted that a third person died from what seems to be a medical emergency, although it is still unclear if it was connected to the storm.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed one death due to Milton in a traffic incident, and another fatality was reported in Citrus County, north of Tampa. Additionally, five deaths were recorded in St. Lucie County linked to tornadoes, including one in the Spanish Lakes community.

Furthermore, St. Petersburg officials announced two fatalities connected to Milton during a news briefing on Thursday. St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway described one death as related to a medical incident, while the other involved an individual found in a park. The cause of death has yet to be confirmed by the medical examiner.

“Please avoid the roads,” the police department urged in a social media post. “Traffic signals are down, and trees are scattered everywhere. It is extremely dangerous until we can clear the routes.”

− Jeanine Santucci, YSL News, and Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal

Confirmed Deaths in St. Lucie County

Following suspected tornadoes that tore through Spanish Lakes County Club Village and other areas in St. Lucie County on Wednesday, four fatalities were confirmed, officials announced on Thursday. The county medical examiner affirmed the deaths in a release Thursday morning, but no additional information was provided. A fifth death was later verified.

Doug Anderson, a Lakewood Park resident, shared that he witnessed a tornado cross Kings Highway while heading home from running an errand around 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The devastation he saw in the Spanish Lakes neighborhood was alarming.

“I saw a semi-truck toppled over and also a truck knocked over,” Anderson recounts. “I followed the debris into Spanish Lakes. It resembled what you would expect if someone had dropped a massive weight from the sky, flattening many homes.”

− Blake Fontenay, Adam L. Neal, Treasure Coast Newspapers

Biden Condemns Misinformation, Tells Trump to ‘Get a Life’

President Joe Biden strongly criticized the dissemination of misinformation regarding hurricanes Helene and Milton, warning on Thursday that “blatant falsehoods” are preventing victims from accessing necessary assistance.

“Those spreading such lies are undermining trust in the rescue and recovery efforts that are currently underway,” Biden stated after receiving an update about the damage Milton inflicted on Florida.

Biden mentioned that some rescue workers have received death threats “due to reckless and relentless disinformation and blatant lies.”

Among those propagating falsehoods in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is former President Donald Trump. Biden concluded his comments by directly addressing Trump: “Former President Trump, get a life, man. Help these people,” he urged.

– Michael Collins

Hurricane and Tornado Combination Creates a ‘Double Disaster’

The outer bands of Milton triggered tornadoes more than 100 miles from where the hurricane made landfall on Florida’s west coast, significantly extending its damage reach. In a Thursday briefing, Biden reported that “38 tornadoes impacted 13 counties.”

While it is not unusual for the outer rain bands of hurricanes to produce tornadoes, these are generally weaker and have a shorter lifespan than those observed before Milton’s arrival, explained Corene Matyas, a geography professor at the University of Florida.

Five tornado-related fatalities in St. Lucie County on the east coast took locals by surprise, many of whom were only prepared for Milton’s impact.

“I was focused on preparing for the hurricane, and then a tornado struck,” said Calvin Lee Hamilton, 57, a lifelong county resident who witnessed a tornado ripping off roofs in his neighborhood. “The tornado hit before Milton. It was a double disaster.”

Be Cautious of Alligators in Florida Floodwaters

Residents in hurricane-stricken areas are frequently cautioned to steer clear of floodwaters, which can be contaminated with sewage, debris, and downed power lines. In Florida, the risks also encompass alligators and other reptiles.

An alligator was filmed swimming in floodwaters near a Florida road after Hurricane Helene struck the state, highlighting the dangers that accompany such conditions.

Some wildlife like alligators and snakes may be seen more often in areas affected by flooding, according to a Thursday post from the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They advised, “Keep them at a distance & give them space.”

− Phaedra Trethan

Single Mother’s Experience During ‘Worst Storm’ in St. Petersburg

Katie Williams, a resident of St. Petersburg, described Hurricane Milton as “by far the worst storm” she has faced.

Although she wanted to evacuate, a rare eye condition required her to stay in her second-floor apartment with her 10-year-old daughter Kiley and their adopted cat, Honey.

Williams, 32, felt that at one point the winds were “shaking the house.” After losing power around 8 p.m., she lit candles to avoid darkness, but then her water also cut out, and she lost cell service.

When she went outside on Thursday to check on her neighbors, she observed “trees down everywhere” and many fallen power poles.

Palm Harbor: Scary Winds, Surprisingly Minor Damage

In Palm Harbor, Debbie Pace stepped outside her home Thursday to assess the damage left by Milton.

She and her family had been sheltered in their boarded-up home just north of Clearwater since midday Wednesday. When the power went out, they endured several hours of fierce winds that made it feel like “you couldn’t breathe,” Pace, 52, shared.

“The wind was terrifying,” she noted. “I could see my kids were becoming a bit anxious. They would suggest I check outside periodically while we played games like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders.”

While she did lose part of her fence and noticed tree limbs scattered around the neighborhood, Pace was relieved that the damage was less severe than she had feared. Her main concern now is whether the power will come back on before her food spoils.

“I ordered a generator a few days ago, but it’s been delayed,” she explained. “It says it will arrive on Friday, but I’m doubtful.”

Sarasota Home Miraculously Unharmed

In Sarasota’s Grenada neighborhood, Ron Collins observed his wife trimming tree branches with an electric saw on Thursday morning. They stayed in their home during the storm, even though it was in a mandatory evacuation zone, because Collins had engineered the house for emergencies.

A retired structural engineer who uses a power wheelchair, Collins took his mobility issues into account when they chose to ride out Milton. He had charged extra batteries for his wheelchair in case they lost power. “Managing batteries has been crucial for me,” Collins, 68, remarked. “We did discuss evacuating when it was classified as a Category 4 and appeared to be heading toward Category 5. But experience tells you that when it’s easy to evacuate, it may be too early to know if it’s necessary.”

They moved into their single-story concrete house in 2012, reinforcing it against potential disasters. The roof has thick shielding to prevent debris from penetrating the structure. Thankfully, Milton caused no damage to their home. “This house was designed for us to safely shelter in place,” Collins shared. “That was always the plan.”

DeSantis Addresses Damage Estimation Concerns

On Thursday, DeSantis noted that numerous rescues had occurred and more were in progress. He anticipated that bridges, gas stations, and large retail stores that temporarily closed would reopen soon. Although local officials confirmed at least five fatalities, DeSantis stated he couldn’t verify any deaths at this time and dismissed damage estimates from insurance analysts.

“How could a Wall Street analyst possibly know?” DeSantis remarked when questioned about damage estimates. “It’s been dark all day. Let’s not jump to conclusions. They are currently conducting damage assessments.”

St. Petersburg Hospital Staff Weather the Storm

Dr. Meghan Martin, a pediatric emergency physician in St. Petersburg, worked overnight as Hurricane Milton made landfall along the Gulf Coast. At the hospital with her children, Martin noted signs of Milton’s strength in the surrounding area.

She occasionally checked cameras set up outside her home to see if floodwaters had infiltrated, recalling an experience from Hurricane Helene. Martin, who has a popular TikTok account, mentioned that she and most of St. Petersburg were fortunate not to face the storm surge, although the winds were extremely intense.

“Watching the trail cam was nearly impossible because of the wind, rain, and debris flying by,” she recalled. “It was just too chaotic to see anything.”

Tampa’s Luck in Avoiding Major Surge

Storms that hit land south of Tampa typically produce less storm surge in the city. When Milton came ashore with its center just over 20 miles to the south, the particularly vulnerable Tampa Bay narrowly escaped severe surge. While tide gauges south of Siesta Key and Sarasota soared higher during Milton’s landfall, those around the bay showed lower levels.

Storm surges can occur near and to the right of a storm’s landfall, but lower water levels may also happen to the left of where the storm strikes, as explained by weather service meteorologist Ernie Jillson.

“Bays are particularly at risk because they function like a bowl,” Jillson explained to YSL News. “They are surrounded by land on nearly all sides, making them prone to being drained.”

− Doyle Rice

For Some, Milton Was Milder Than Ian Two Years Ago

At the Peace River Campground near Arcadia, roughly 50 miles north of Fort Myers, Paul Massey and his wife Cheryl carried a ruined chair from Milton’s rainfall to the roadway, cleaning up Thursday after experiencing sporadic high winds and rain.

However, it was nothing compared to two years back when Hurricane Ian swamped 2,000 homes and at least 100 RVs where people were living around the Peace River, they noted. This time, both Arcadia and the campground were mostly unharmed.

Despite this, they were keeping an eye on the river just past a grove of trees draped with Spanish Moss. The river had begun to rise slightly after the storm, but Paul Massey was skeptical it would cause flooding. While he was speaking, a friend arrived to assist them.

He was in a truck as he also monitored the river levels.

“Are you all planning to come back?” Massey inquired. “Not yet,” replied his friend, adding that he would delay his return since he couldn’t secure flood insurance for his RV. “If we could get full coverage, we’d be back, but that’s not possible right now.”

-Chris Kenning, YSL News

In Punta Gorda, boats tossed onto yards

In Punta Gorda, located 100 miles south of Tampa, residents awoke Thursday to discover that Hurricane Milton’s strong winds and storm surge had moved large sailboats onto their front lawns. The city, situated by the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, also dealt with flooded neighborhoods and heaps of debris remaining at curbs from Hurricane Helene just two weeks prior. Numerous homes reported ruptured water lines, and the town was without power.

Jeff Weiler, biking with his dog Einstein, shared that a piece of dock had damaged his home. He expressed that what hit him hardest was the extensive harm done to his “life’s ambition” – a newly acquired 60-foot motorboat, which was now wrecked beyond repair.

“I drained my retirement savings to buy that boat,” he said, fighting back tears. “It’s gone.”

Biden, DeSantis talk about hurricane effects

The morning after, Biden had a conversation with DeSantis regarding the consequences of Hurricane Milton, as noted by a White House statement. DeSantis informed the president that officials are still evaluating the damage statewide. Biden reassured that he would offer whatever aid is necessary to facilitate the response and recovery process, according to the statement.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joined the call and intends to assess the situation alongside the governor on Thursday.

– Michael Collins

Milton turns pond ‘into an ocean’

In New Port Richey, about an hour northwest of Tampa, Lloyd Anoa’i and his neighbors found themselves stuck in their homes several hours after Hurricane Milton left their roads and driveways submerged in feet of floodwater. Anoa’i, 53, reported that the intense downpour transformed the pond behind his house “into an ocean.” During the heaviest rain, he quickly moved his car to the highest point in his yard to prevent water from reaching it.

“The water was almost two and a half feet high on my legs,” he recounted on a phone call with YSL News. “It’s unbelievable! No one can get out.”

Some water managed to seep into a back bedroom through the floor panels, as the wind from the storm kept Anoa’i’s family on edge, interrupted by deep thuds – which he suspected were tree limbs crashing onto the roof.

“It was quite intense,” he stated. “You could feel the house shaking.”

Certain areas receive up to 16 inches of rain

The storm’s eye landed in Siesta Key, a barrier island located off Sarasota around 50 miles south of Tampa. Early Thursday in downtown Tampa, strong winds knocked down traffic lights, uprooted signs, and sent construction barriers skidding across the drenched roads. Milton’s winds also tore apart plywood meant for protection, leading to a section of a downtown building’s brick facade collapsing, partially obstructing a road.

A flash flood emergency was issued for Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, per the hurricane center, after parts of the region were inundated with over 16 inches of rain. Additional rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is anticipated in areas along the east-central to northeast coast of Florida through Thursday morning, according to the hurricane center’s latest update.

“This rainfall will continue to pose a significant risk of flash and urban flooding, along with moderate to severe river flooding,” the update cautioned.

Fifteen individuals rescued from Tampa home due to fallen tree

Fifteen people, including several children, were rescued from a Tampa residence Wednesday night after a tree fell onto the house, officials reported. At a news conference Thursday, Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw shared that the family was relocated to a shelter in a nearby elementary school.

In another case, a tree also crashed onto an additional home in the Tampa area, resulting in multiple injuries, as stated by Tampa Fire Chief Barbara Tripp. It remains unknown how many occupants were in the house and were rescued by emergency services; Tripp mentioned her team responded to over 100 urgent calls throughout the night, which included numerous reports of fire alarms, downed power lines, and minor medical issues.

Animals at Tampa zoo unharmed after Milton

ZooTampa announced on Thursday that due to Hurricane Milton, they were without power; however, the zoo’s emergency team managed to ride out the storm. Spokeswoman Sandra Torres informed YSL News that the zoo “sustained some damage” from strong winds, with cleanup and recovery efforts set to commence later, pending a complete assessment and when it is safe to travel on the roads. For the time being, all animals will stay in their overnight shelters and designated hurricane areas.

“Every one of the 1,000 animals in our care is safe,” Torres assured. “We’re doing well and grateful to have weathered Hurricane Milton.”

The zoo’s six orangutans spent their night in the same shelter as unfamiliar birds, noted Tiffany Burns, ZooTampa’s senior director of animal programs. Their “intelligent and perceptive” nature made them curious about their new companions, and some of their “unique personalities” emerged as a result, Burns observed.

− Claire Thornton

St. Pete Beach resident unable to return home yet

David Green, who sought refuge at a family member’s home in Valrico, Florida, just east of Tampa, remarked that Hurricane Milton produced some of the most severe winds he had ever experienced. Green, 62, whose St. Pete Beach house had to be completely cleared following flooding from Helene, took refuge in the interior hallways and closets as Milton approached. He, his family, and several dogs weathered the storm while listening to what sounded like branches crashing onto the roof.

“The streets are flooded here. Numerous trees are down,” he texted to YSL News. “A lot of vinyl and wooden fences have been blown down in the neighborhood.”

Anxious to assess the damage to his property, Green is hopeful he will soon be able to return to St. Pete Beach.

On early Thursday, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office declared that all access roads into the county, which includes St. Pete Beach and St. Petersburg, are “closed until further notice due to dangerous conditions.” Rescue operations are currently in progress across the county, as noted in social media updates from the sheriff’s office.

“Numerous trees and power lines are down, and there are multiple hazards throughout Pinellas County,” one update stated. “Please continue to stay sheltered in place.”

‘It wasn’t too bad’: Lt. Dan rides out storm on 22-foot sailboat

Joe Malinowski, known as Lt. Dan for enduring Hurricane Milton on his small sailboat, reported that he experienced no issues during the storm. With a victorious gesture, he raised his arm as dawn broke over Tampa Bay on Thursday morning. Malinowski, 54, had been live-streaming his experiences aboard the Seashell and drew media attention with his decision to remain anchored during the storm.
“The hand of God was over Tampa,” he proclaimed on Friday morning. “It wasn’t too bad at all.”

By Thursday morning, a steady stream of Tampa residents flocked to Bayshore Boulevard to check on Malinowski, who was nicknamed after a character from Forrest Gump, who also faced a disability. Malinowski is an amputee, having lost his lower left leg.
“You made it! I’m so glad you’re okay,” shouted Tampa resident Monet Rahall, 28, to him.
Rahall felt compelled to visit Malinowski in person after watching his updates while she sheltered at her nearby home.
“He’s an icon,” she remarked. “Seeing him online, I had to see him myself.”

Storm leaves significant damage at airport

The path of Hurricane Milton brought heavy rains and flash flooding to various areas along Florida’s East Coast, resulting in a large 30-by-40-foot hole in the roof of Melbourne Orlando International Airport. A significant section of the airport’s ceiling collapsed around 2 a.m., as confirmed by Greg Donovan, the airport’s executive director, located about an hour east of Orlando.

“We had a major part of our skylight, known as a caul wall, cave in at the center of the terminal,” Donovan explained. The positive aspect, he noted, was the absence of significant water intrusion since the initial surge.
The airport was closed at the time, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. Donovan mentioned that crews were being mobilized to repair the roof and mitigate water damage.

− Jeffrey Meesey and Jennifer Sangalang, Florida Today

Venice begins damage assessment

In Venice, located 70 miles south of Tampa, residents experienced widespread power outages and some areas lost cellphone service on Thursday. City officials stated that assessment teams were starting to evaluate flooding and other storm-related damage, requesting that citizens avoid the impacted streets for a little while longer.
With a high median age of 68 years (in contrast to the national average of 38), Venice’s local authorities had collaborated closely with state officials to evacuate nursing home residents and individuals with mobility issues.

Crane falls near Tampa Bay Times office

Late Wednesday, officials reported that a crane collapsed near a construction site in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the incident left a significant hole in an office building housing several businesses, including the newspaper itself. Thankfully, there were no immediate reports of injuries.

“The main focus right now is reminding everyone to stay off the roadways. Nearly all traffic lights are out, and motorists should treat those as a 4-way stop,” Venice spokeswoman Brianne Lorenz warned. “There is a lot of debris and downed power lines, making the roads unsafe.”

“The public is advised to continue sheltering in place,” the city of St. Petersburg stated. “We can confirm that one crane cab from the upper part of the mast has fallen,” said John Catsimatidis, CEO of Red Apple Group, which is in the midst of developing the skyscraper. “We are collaborating with city officials and other parties to evaluate the situation.”

Tropicana Field suffers damage

Hurricane Milton severely impacted the Tampa Bay area with its strong winds and heavy rainfall upon making landfall late Wednesday. Officials in St. Petersburg confirmed that strong winds damaged the roof of Tropicana Field, the venue for Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. The facility was converted into a base camp for thousands of emergency responders as Florida prepared for Milton. Footage from local news and images shared on social media revealed sections of the stadium’s roof torn off due to the fierce winds.

The domed stadium has been the home of the Tampa Bay Rays since the team’s founding in 1998, although there are plans to replace it by 2028. Despite being one of the smaller MLB stadiums by seating capacity, Tropicana Field features a uniquely angled roof built partly to withstand hurricanes.

− Eric Lagatta

Rescue efforts hampered during storm peak

The high winds – exacerbated by Hurricane Milton – created tornado-like conditions, keeping first responders across Florida’s Gulf Coast off the roads and unable to conduct any rescue operations during the storm’s assault. Florida officials advised that while individuals could call 911, they would essentially have to fend for themselves until Milton had passed.

Authorities issued a warning after 911 call centers experienced a high volume of calls during Hurricane Helene that they were unable to respond to.

“We all want to help when disaster strikes, but it’s crucial to remember that if something happens to us, there won’t be anyone to assist us,” stated Nick Pachota, a seasoned first responder and the mayor of Venice, Florida. “It’s a tough situation.”

− Michael Loria

Where did Hurricane Milton hit land?

Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane with wind speeds of 120 mph near Siesta Key at 8:30 p.m., according to the National Hurricane Center. This barrier island, home to 5,500 residents, is located about five miles south of Sarasota and 50 miles south of Tampa, on Florida’s west coast. It’s just over 100 miles southwest of Orlando. The storm traveled northeast across the state before exiting near Cape Canaveral.

According to forecasts, Hurricane Milton is anticipated to move away from Florida and pass to the north of the Bahamas on Thursday.

− Cheryl McCloud and C. A. Bridges, YSL News NETWORK – Florida

Tornadoes strike southwest Florida

Tornadoes were reported in parts of southwest Florida on Wednesday, particularly in Collier and Lee Counties, causing significant destruction throughout Fort Myers and Cape Coral.

Scott Fincher, a North Fort Myers resident, was on the lanai of his Pointe Lakes community home with family, waiting for Hurricane Milton to arrive. They were passing time by following the local news, which was discussing the “tornado outbreak.”

As reporters warned of a tornado approaching the neighboring Lake Fairways community, Fincher realized it was time to seek shelter.

Fincher quickly moved his wife, sister-in-law, and dog inside. “As we were getting everyone in, it hit,” he recalled, “and I could hear the rumbling.”

“Everything turned pitch black,” Fincher described. “It was absolutely dark. Fear gripped me. The ground shook a little, and the house trembled.”

− Kate Cimini, Fort Myers News-Press

Experts predict Hurricane Milton could lead to $100 billion in insurance losses

Experts warn that Hurricane Milton could inflict losses of up to $100 billion on the global insurance sector, which could lead to a spike in reinsurance rates in 2025, potentially benefiting some insurance companies’ stock prices, as stated by analysts on Wednesday.

Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s already storm-impacted west coast on Wednesday night, generating at least 19 tornadoes and resulting in damage across numerous counties, with roughly 125 homes, primarily mobile homes, being destroyed, as confirmed by Governor Ron DeSantis.

“Due to the current conditions, it’s no longer safe to evacuate; individuals must shelter in place and ride out the storm,” DeSantis remarked after the hurricane’s landfall.

Insurance losses from Milton may range from $60 billion to $100 billion if the hurricane directly impacts the densely populated Tampa area, analysts from Morningstar DBRS noted. If losses reach $100 billion, Milton would be equated with Hurricane Katrina in 2005, they said, adding that while losses will be “significant,” they are likely to be “substantial but not catastrophic.”