Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 3 storm, is unleashing torrential rain, spawning tornadoes, and pummeling Florida’s west coast with tropical storm-force winds as it makes landfall Wednesday evening. Emergency officials are urging residents who have not yet evacuated to shelter in place, warning that first responders may be unable to assist until conditions improve.
As of 7 p.m. EDT, the U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that Milton was centered approximately 35 miles (50 kilometers) west-southwest of Sarasota, Florida. The storm’s maximum sustained winds reached 120 mph (195 kph), with Milton moving northeast at 15 mph (28 kph), slightly slower than earlier in the afternoon.
“The northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton is beginning to move onshore of the Florida gulf coast near Tampa and St. Petersburg where an Extreme Wind Warning is now in effect,” the hurricane center stated in its latest advisory. “Please shelter in place as these extremely dangerous hurricane-force winds overspread the region.”
The approach of Milton has presented difficult decisions for coastal residents like Jackie Curnick, 32, of Sarasota. Curnick, who is expecting a baby girl on October 29, decided to stay home with her husband and 2-year-old son after struggling to find affordable and available hotel accommodations.
“The thing is it’s so difficult to evacuate in a peninsula,” Curnick explained. “In most other states, you can go in any direction to get out. In Florida, there are only so many roads that take you north or south.”
Curnick’s dilemma highlights the unique challenges faced by Florida residents during hurricane evacuations, with limited escape routes often leading to traffic congestion and fuel shortages.
As Milton continues to batter the coast, authorities are emphasizing the importance of heeding local warnings and staying informed about rapidly changing conditions. The storm’s impact is expected to be felt well inland, with the potential for widespread power outages, flooding, and wind damage across a large swath of the state.
Emergency management officials are preparing for a potentially prolonged recovery effort, with concerns about storm surge, inland flooding, and infrastructure damage in the hurricane’s wake. Residents are advised to have emergency supplies on hand and to follow official guidance as the situation evolves.
