Florida reels as Hurricane Milton knocks out power to millions
A weakening but still dangerous Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's west coast, leaving nearly 3 million without power and causing devastating storm surges.
In short:
- Hurricane Milton hit Florida as a category 3 storm, cutting power to millions and causing catastrophic wind damage.
- Tampa Bay and surrounding areas faced severe flash flooding, with over 16 inches of rain in St. Petersburg.
- Tornadoes spawned by the storm damaged homes and caused widespread destruction across multiple counties.
Key quote:
“At this point, it’s too dangerous to evacuate safely, so you have to shelter in place and just hunker down.”
— Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida
Why this matters:
Hurricane Milton has torn into Florida with the kind of raw force that leaves cities paralyzed and people scrambling for survival. As Floridians brace for the aftermath, the environmental and health impacts will linger long after. Flooded areas pose a threat of waterborne illnesses and downed power lines complicate the rescue efforts. In a world increasingly shaped by climate change, ever-intense storms tax our disaster preparedness and raise the stakes for vulnerable coastal communities. Read more: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier.
