Hurricane Milton has left a trail of destruction in its wake across Florida, after making landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night. Although it has since weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, it remains a devastating cyclone that has caused widespread damage, from flooding to massive power outages, affecting millions of people. To better understand the intensity and characteristics of these phenomena, you can consult the differences between hurricanes and tornadoes.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned that although Milton has weakened, it remains very dangerous. Winds, which reached speeds of up to 135 miles per hour (205 kilometers per hour) at their strongest, have ripped off roofs, uprooted trees, and caused power outages across much of the state. Currently, more than three million buildings, including homes and businesses, are without power.
Devastating tornadoes before Milton's arrival
Before the eye of the hurricane made landfall in Florida, at least 19 tornadoes were reported, according to local authorities. In St. Lucie County , for example, several people lost their lives in a retirement community when a tornado ripped through their homes. County Sheriff Keith Pearson said an intensive search and rescue operation is underway to locate more victims in the hardest-hit areas. For more information on these phenomena, see [link to relevant article].
The tornado, one of the storms preceding Milton, caused catastrophic damage to dozens of homes, according to county spokesman Erick Gill . In areas near Fort Pierce, the scenes of devastation are heartbreaking, with homes completely destroyed.
Flooding and storm surge
In addition to tornadoes, the storm surge from the hurricane has flooded normally dry areas near the coast. In some regions, the water has reached heights of up to 13 feet , especially near Anna Maria Island and other coastal areas of southeast Florida. Authorities have warned that the storm surge could worsen if it coincides with high tide. To better understand these phenomena, review hurricane flooding.
Meteorologists have stressed that these floods caused by Milton are extremely dangerous, as the water can move rapidly inland, sweeping away everything in its path. In places like Charlotte Harbor and Bonita Beach , giant waves have destroyed infrastructure and left communities cut off.
Rescue operation and affected areas
Emergency crews have been deployed across the state to conduct search and rescue operations in the areas hardest hit by tornadoes and flooding. In Fort Myers and much of the Tampa area , residents remain sheltered in place or in designated shelters. Authorities have noted that many of the affected cities have not yet recovered from Hurricane Helene , which struck the state just weeks ago. To understand the entire recovery process, it is helpful to review the information on evacuations due to heavy rains.
President Joe Biden has assured that the federal government will provide all necessary support to help the communities affected by Milton . "We will be here as long as it takes for the recovery ," he stated in his remarks on Wednesday, noting that Florida has been hit by two hurricanes in less than two weeks.
Impact on infrastructure: stadiums and water supply
Among the most visible damage caused by Hurricane Milton was the destruction of the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg , home of the Major League Baseball team, the Tampa Bay Rays. Emergency personnel were at the stadium at the time, but no fatalities were reported. To learn more about how hurricanes affect infrastructure, see Fast-Turning Tornadoes.
Another critical issue has been a burst water main in St. Petersburg , which has left thousands of residents without drinking water. Furthermore, repair efforts have been hampered by heavy rains and flooding that has made certain areas inaccessible.
Milton's return to Category 1 and what's to come
On Thursday morning, Milton was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane , but that hasn't diminished its destructive potential. Meteorologists continue to warn that, despite the decrease in wind speed, the hurricane is still severely impacting Florida, both from heavy rainfall and the possibility of tornadoes forming as Milton moves northeast. For an overview of how climate change may influence these phenomena, see Global Warming and Storms in the U.S.
Pinellas County has been one of the hardest-hit areas, not only by power outages but also by torrential rains that have flooded streets and fields. Local authorities are urging residents to stay indoors until the danger has completely passed.
Although the hurricane has weakened, many of the affected areas, especially on Florida's west coast, face a long recovery process . The communities hit by Hurricane Milton are in addition to those still trying to rebuild after Hurricane Helene struck just two weeks ago.