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

Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast near Siesta Key late Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 storm, bringing sustained winds of 120 mph, dangerous storm surge, and heavy rainfall that quickly overwhelmed parts of the region. Officials reported severe flooding, widespread power outages affecting more than 2 million residents, and multiple emergency calls related to structural damage and possible collapses.

Storm surge reached as high as 10 feet in some areas, raising the risk of life-threatening coastal flooding and further damage to homes, roads, and critical infrastructure. Emergency crews were deployed across affected counties to respond to reports of downed power lines, flooded neighborhoods, and damaged buildings as conditions continued to deteriorate.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm and urged residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate or seek shelter. Local authorities continue to warn that hazardous conditions may persist even after the eye of the storm moves inland, with flash flooding, strong winds, and additional outages expected to remain a threat through the night and into Thursday.