Hurricane Milton Hits Florida, Causing Widespread Damage

Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, leading to urgent evacuation orders and widespread destruction. Nearly 2 million residents faced power outages as the storm's impact included heavy rainfall, storm surges of up to 13 feet, and multiple tornadoes reported across the state. The National Weather Service warned of extreme winds and flash flooding, particularly in the Tampa Bay area, where over 16 inches of rain fell. Reports indicate that 125 homes were destroyed before the storm even made landfall, significantly affecting vulnerable communities. Local officials expressed grave concerns for those who remained in affected areas as recovery efforts began. The storm is anticipated to traverse the Florida Peninsula and continue into the Atlantic Ocean, raising fears of further damage inland.