Hurricane Milton Slams Florida Gulf Coast as Category 3 Storm, Leaving Widespread Damage

Hurricane Milton made catastrophic landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast near Siesta Key late Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 storm, bringing sustained winds of about 120 mph, dangerous storm surge and widespread flooding. The storm knocked out power to more than 2 million customers across the state, with emergency crews responding to reports of inundated roads, damaged buildings and coastal flooding.

Officials warned residents to remain sheltered as Milton moved inland, with heavy rain and strong winds continuing to threaten communities across central and southern Florida. The combination of storm surge and torrential rainfall raised concerns about flash flooding in low-lying areas, while utility workers prepared for what could be a prolonged restoration effort.

Milton’s arrival came just days after Hurricane Helene affected parts of the region, adding to the strain on emergency services and recovery operations. The back-to-back storms have intensified what is already shaping up to be one of the busiest hurricane seasons on record, underscoring the vulnerability of Florida’s Gulf Coast to rapid and severe tropical impacts.