Hurricane Milton Leaves Destruction in Florida: Death Toll and Power Outages Reported

Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida’s west coast as a Category 3 storm, has left significant destruction in its wake before being downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm, which made landfall near Siesta Key south of the Tampa Bay region on Wednesday evening, moved off the Florida coast by Thursday.

Official reports indicate that at least 16 people have lost their lives due to the storm, according to the Associated Press. Among the deceased are individuals from St. Lucie County, where tornadoes spawned by Milton’s outer bands before landfall ravaged local neighborhoods. Further fatalities include a 54-year-old woman in Port Orange and a 79-year-old woman in Ormond Beach, both victims of falling trees.

Volusia County reported multiple fatalities due to cardiac incidents believed to be related to the storm’s impact. Sheriff Mike Chitwood voiced concerns over the possibility of discovering more storm-related deaths as recovery efforts continue.

The storm inflicted severe damage across Central Florida, resulting in widespread power outages impacting millions. Rescue operations were active in counties such as Brevard, where extreme winds caused significant damage, including an EF-1 tornado that struck Cocoa Beach.

Floodwaters have inundated various areas, with officials urging residents to avoid travel to allow emergency services to clear debris and restore services. Many roads remain closed due to washouts and fallen trees.

Cleanup operations are ongoing, with community resilience observed as residents begin to assess and address the damage. Restoration of power is a priority, as utility crews work tirelessly to restore services.

Meanwhile, discussions among meteorologists, including Tony Mainolfi of WESH 2, highlight caution over the potential for another system forming in the Gulf of Mexico, though this remains speculative.