Hurricane Milton made landfall on October 9, 2024, near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 storm with winds exceeding 120 mph. The hurricane caused significant destruction across the state, unleashing heavy rains, dangerous storm surges, and more than 27 tornadoes. It struck a region already grappling with damage from Hurricane Helene, which had made landfall just two weeks prior.
Extensive Damage and Power Outages
The impact was severe, with over 3 million homes and businesses experiencing power outages due to downed power lines and damaged infrastructure. The storm’s strong winds brought down trees and power lines, and flooded streets in cities like Tampa and St. Petersburg. Many areas faced long power outages, while damage to structures and critical infrastructure, including crane collapses in St. Petersburg, added to the devastation.
Evacuations and Emergency Response
Ahead of the storm, officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for approximately 7.2 million people across 15 counties. The storm’s rapid intensification and extensive flooding made emergency response challenging, prompting authorities to advise residents who stayed behind to brace for long disruptions to services and limited availability of first responders during the worst of the storm.
Tornado Outbreak and Rainfall
Milton’s outer bands triggered a record number of tornadoes across Florida, causing additional destruction in areas like Fort Myers and the Everglades. Rainfall levels reached up to 18 inches in some locations, raising concerns over catastrophic flooding well inland.
As Florida recovers, residents and officials face a daunting cleanup process, complicated by the compounded impact of back-to-back hurricanes.
