Darkness fell as the storm roared ashore on Florida’s Gulf Coast, unleashing deadly tornadoes and relentless flooding that left millions powerless, shattering communities in its wake.
Hurricane Milton made landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, Florida, on October 9, around 8:30 in the evening.
A warning sign appears as Hurricane Milton bears down on the Gulf Coast in Sarasota, Florida, on October 9, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
With winds exceeding 120 miles per hour (mph) and torrential rain, the hurricane left a path of devastation, resulting in power outages for more than 1.1 million homes and businesses, particularly in Sarasota, Manatee, and Hardee counties.
Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), in a Facebook post, urged residents to “continue to shelter in place & remain vigilant!”
As Hurricane Milton approached, multiple tornadoes ripped through St. Lucie County, causing severe damage and fatalities. Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed “multiple fatalities” at the Spanish Lakes Country Club, a senior community near Fort Pierce.
Tornado spotted in Florida, shared on October 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube.com/fox4news
The exact number of deaths remains unknown as search and rescue teams continue to comb through the area. “They are listening for life,” Pearson said, describing efforts to find survivors amid the wreckage.
St. Lucie County has faced extensive destruction. County spokesman Erick Gill said, “We have dozens of homes in St. Lucie County that have been damaged. Some catastrophic damage.”
Statewide, approximately 125 homes were destroyed, mainly in senior mobile home communities, according to FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie. Emergency responders are working around the clock to assist those affected.
People seek shelter at Virgil Mills Elementary in Palmetto, Florida, with their pets on October 9, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Governor Ron DeSantis reported that the storm triggered 116 tornado warnings across the state, with 19 confirmed tornado touchdowns, emphasizing the widespread impact of Hurricane Milton.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis talks to the press in Lake City, Florida, ahead of Hurricane Milton on October 9, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, St. Petersburg experienced a rare 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event, according to CNN’s updates on Hurricane Milton. Over 9 inches of rain fell within three hours as the storm’s heaviest rain band stalled over the Tampa Bay area, surpassing the city’s typical rainfall for three months.
A vehicle sits at a flooding intersection in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 9, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
An October 10 advisory from the NWS National Hurricane Center (NWSNHSC) reported a flash flood emergency in parts of west-central Florida, while strong winds continued to affect the east coast.
The advisory also noted that by 1:00 in the morning, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), St. Petersburg had sustained winds of 48 mph, with gusts up to 79 mph. Orlando recorded winds of 46 mph, gusting to 74 mph, and Cape Canaveral saw sustained winds of 52 mph, with gusts reaching 67 mph.
State and local authorities have launched an extensive emergency response, deploying task forces and rescue teams across affected regions. Sheriff Pearson emphasized, “Our No. 1 goal is life safety,” as rescuers continue to search for those who may be trapped under debris.
