Hurricane Milton Slams Florida 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 and unleashing dangerous storm surge, tornadoes and record rainfall across the state. The storm knocked out power to more than 2 million customers, leaving large parts of Florida in the dark as emergency crews worked through hazardous conditions.

Officials reported widespread flooding in coastal and inland communities, with rescue teams responding to calls from residents trapped by rising water. Tornado warnings were issued in several areas as outer bands of the hurricane swept across the peninsula, adding to the destruction and complicating recovery efforts.

State and local authorities warned that life-threatening conditions could continue well into the night, urging residents to remain sheltered and avoid flooded roads. The combination of storm surge, heavy rain and strong winds created dangerous conditions for homes, businesses and critical infrastructure.

Emergency management officials said the full extent of the damage would not be known until daylight, but early reports indicated significant impacts across much of Florida. Crews are expected to continue search-and-rescue operations as Milton moves inland and gradually weakens.