Hurricane Milton has caused extensive damage throughout Florida, with conditions becoming increasingly dire. More than 3 million residents are without power as of Thursday morning after the storm made landfall near Siesta Key last night as a powerful Category 3, with winds reaching 120 mph, resulting in severe devastation along the west coast.
Now downgraded to a Category 1 storm, Milton has moved off Florida’s east coast, leaving behind significant destruction marked by heavy rainfall and rising storm surges. A meteorologist noted, “We’ve seen over 10 inches of rain in some areas, and forecasts predict an additional 8 to 12 inches is possible,” underscoring the ongoing dangers facing communities recovering from the storm.
In St. Petersburg, a staggering 18 inches of rain fell within just 24 hours, causing extensive damage, including the collapse of the roof at the Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana Field, according to Fox Weather.
In St. Lucie County, the situation is particularly critical. Sheriff Keith Pearson stated, “17 tornadoes have touched down along with several fatalities in our county,” adding that “a rescue mission is ongoing, and hundreds of homes have been destroyed.” The community is in urgent need of help as emergency crews work to assess the full scope of the devastation.
Storm surge flooding is affecting areas from Naples to Sarasota have been affect, with reports indicating water levels rising up to 10 feet in certain locations. Jacksonville to Cape Canaveral is also bracing for up to 5 feet of additional storm surge, worsening the already precarious situation.
Hurricane Milton was situated about 10 miles northeast of Cape Canaveral, with maximum sustained wind gusts recorded at 85 mph on Thursday as at 5 a.m. ET. The recovery effort is expected to be long and challenging for those affected by this catastrophic storm.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mary Asantewaa Buabeng