Storm makes landfall near Siesta Key, south of Tampa Bay3 million without powerAt least 150 tornadoes confirmed, destroying homes in multiple countiesMultiple tornado deaths reported in town on eastern coast of FloridaState prepared to engage in search and rescue missions overnight
Hurricane Milton batters Florida leaving more than three million without power
Hurricane Milton barrelled into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after plowing across Florida, where it knocked out power to more than 3 million customers and whipped up 150 tornadoes. The storm caused at least four deaths and compounded the misery wrought by Helene while sparing Tampa a direct hit.
The system tracked to the south in the final hours and made landfall late Wednesday as a Category 3 storm in Siesta Key, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Tampa. Damage was widespread, and water levels may continue to rise for days, but Gov. Ron DeSantis said it was not “the worst-case scenario.”
