Hurricane Milton struck Central Florida as a powerful Category 5 storm, bringing catastrophic rainfall, high winds, and a devastating storm surge. The hurricane made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, with winds reaching up to 180 mph, making it one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record.
The storm caused widespread damage across the region, with numerous tornadoes reported and significant flooding in areas such as Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, and Polk Counties. St. Petersburg and Tampa were particularly hard-hit, with some areas receiving over 17 inches of rain and experiencing waist-deep flooding. The storm surge also caused major damage, with water levels rising up to 10 feet in some coastal areas, including Naples and Siesta Key.
The hurricane’s impacts were not limited to the coast, as its strong winds and heavy rainfall also caused significant damage inland. Orlando International Airport recorded a wind gust of 86 mph, and small planes were flipped over in Venice, Florida. The storm’s transition to a powerful post-tropical system as it accelerated across the Florida peninsula further exacerbated its effects, with the storm feeding on temperature differences and a frontal boundary.
