Storm makes landfall near Siesta Key, south of Tampa BayAt least 19 tornadoes confirmed, destroying homes in multiple countiesMultiple tornado deaths reported in town on eastern coast of FloridaFlash flood emergency in effect for Tampa Bay areaHurricane Milton reached land rated as Cat 3, but later was downgraded to Cat 2Winds ripped roof off the Tampa Bay Rays’ home stadium, Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg
A woman holds an umbrella while arriving at a shelter as Hurricane Milton approaches, in Lakeland, Florida, U.S., October 9, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Hurricane Milton marched across central Florida on Thursday after making landfall on the state’s west coast hours earlier, whipping up deadly tornadoes, destroying homes and knocking out power to nearly 2 million customers.
The storm made landfall around 8:30 p.m. EDT (0030 GMT) on Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour (195 kph) near Siesta Key, the U.S. National Hurricane Centre said.
