TEMPEST TERROR Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida as ‘catastrophic’ storm spawns tornadoes and first casualties reported
The first casualties were reported in the Spanish Lakes area of Fort Pierce after tornadoes battered the state before Milton made landfall
October 10, 2024
HURRICANE Milton has made landfall in Florida - with locals braced for devastating storm surges of up to 15 feet.
The catastrophic storm brought winds of 120mph with officials warning the danger is not over.
Hurricane Milton before hitting Florida
A satellite view of Hurricane Milton across the Gulf of Mexico. Credit: Alamy
A tornado ripped the roof from a house
Broken utility poles downed by strong winds
A tornado forming in southeast Florida hours before Hurricane Milton's landfall. Credit: National Weather Service Miami-South Florida
Police block off a bridge leading to the barrier island of St. Pete Beach, Florida. AP
'Pray for Orlando' is written on some wood used to board up the windows at a Home Depot. Credit: Reuters
Members of the Florida Army National Guard check for any remaining residents in nearly-deserted Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Credit: AP
The Florida Division of Emergency Management said: “Residents should continue to shelter in place & remain vigilant."
The first casualties were reported in the Spanish Lakes area of Fort Pierce after tornadoes battered the state before Milton made landfall.
Shortly before the hurricane made landfall, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged: "You have to shelter in place and just hunker down."
He added: "Unfortunately there will be fatalities.
"I don't think there's any way around that."
Earlier, President Joe Biden called Milton "one of the most destructive hurricanes in Florida in over a century," adding: "It's a matter of life and death, and that's not hyperbole."
Pop star Taylor Swift pledged $5million to help with the relief effort after the hurricane has passed.
Dramatic footage showed entire palm trees ripped from their trunks, while in a clip by the NOAA, the storm caused massive 30ft waves.
State lawmakers fear Milton will be one of the worst and most destructive hurricanes in Florida in 100 years.
In the days leading up to the storm's arrival, millions across west-central Florida stocked up their vehicles with essential items and personal belongings, driving north or south away from Milton's intimidating path.
Eerie videos circulating on social media showed dozens of abandoned communities, many of which are still in ruins from the onslaught of Hurricane Helene two weeks ago.
In Gulfport, police drove slowly through a debris-riddled neighborhood, playing a recording on the loudspeaker informing residents of a mandatory evacuation, according to a video by reporter Brian Entin on X.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for 13 counties in Florida, including Sarasota, Hillsborough, and Volusia.
Aerial images showed Interstate 75's northbound lane jam-packed with bumper-to-bumper traffic as hundreds of terrified residents fled their homes to seek shelter.
Dr. Michael Brennan, director of the US National Hurricane Centre, earlier warned that "a very dangerous situation is going to play out from west to east across the Florida peninsula."
He added that a "life-threatening storm surge is about to play out along the Florida west coast.
Water will also be "violently pushed onto dry land" by the hurricane, up to 10ft above ground level.
"The water is now starting to rise, winds are picking up, rainfall is occurring and your evacuation routes may be cut off."
He continued: "Much of the central portion of the peninsula... is at risk of devastating hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts over the inland areas that can cause structural damage, tree damage and widespread power outages."
'SIGNIFICANT COASTAL CHANGE'
Scientists at the US Geological Survey fear that Milton could completely change Florida's west coastline forever.
"The significance of the coastal change forecast for Milton's impact to the Florida west coast cannot be overstated as I believe communities are more vulnerable to this storm's impacts due to the erosion that occurred recently from Helene," Kara Doran, a USGS scientist, said.
"Our initial analysis looking at imagery collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration after Helene shows most of the west coast experienced overwash or inundation and complete erosion of dunes, so those protective dunes are no longer in place for many locations."
Experts predict Milton's ferocious storm surge could cause 95% to 100% of Florida's west coast beaches to experience erosion and overwash.
Overwash occurs when water levels reach higher than the top of the dunes.
When a beach is overwashed, sand can be pushed and deposited inland, causing significant changes to coastal landscapes and blocking roadways, according to the USGS.
A photo by astronaut Matthew Dominick shows Hurricane Milton from the International Space Station. AP
A heavy stream of evacuation traffic slowly moves southward from North-West Florida on Interstate 75. Credit: EPA
An AquaFence barrier set up outside Tampa General Hospital. Credit: Reuters
Rain begins to fall ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton in Tampa. AP
'WHISKER SHY' OF CATEGORY 5
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described Milton as "just a whisker shy" of Category 5.
"While there is the hope that it will weaken more before landfall, there is high confidence that this hurricane is going to pack a major, major punch and do an awful lot of damage," DeSantis told reporters on Wednesday.
Hours before Milton neared landfall, the storm spawned at least 10 tornados across southcentral Florida.
Florida is still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in late September, which has left over 220 people dead across the southeast United States.
Hurricane tracker shows Milton is getting weaker
Cars drive during heavy rainfall as Hurricane Milton nears landfall in Orlando. Reuters
Waves crashed against the Malecon promenade in Havana. Credit: AFP or licensors
Guests weather early rainfall from Hurricane Milton at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World on Wednesday. Credit: AP
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