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RECAP: Hurricane Milton makes landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, first death confirmed

Max Corstorphan and Artemisia BlytheThe Nightly
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There has been widespread damage in Wellington from a tornado spawned by Hurricane Milton’s outer rain bands.
Camera IconThere has been widespread damage in Wellington from a tornado spawned by Hurricane Milton’s outer rain bands. Credit: James Wieland - Surfin' Weatherman/facebook/supplied

Hurricane Milton, one of the largest storm systems ever recorded in the US has made landfall on the west coast of Florida.

The “once in a century” storm, has been downgraded from Category Five to Category Three, however, authorities have warned Hurricane Milton has grown bigger in size and now threatens more areas of the Florida coastline.

At its peak, Milton had sustained winds of 250km/h.

Hurricane Milton approaches as a Category 3 storm in Sarasota, Florida, USA, 09 October 2024.
Camera IconHurricane Milton approaches as a Category 3 storm in Sarasota, Florida, USA, 09 October 2024. Credit: CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA

The latest update from US officials says sustained wind speed has slowed to 193 km/h, with the risk to life remaining high, especially for the expected 15ft (4.5m) storm surge.

Follow below for the latest on Hurricane Milton.

Artemisia Blythe

Wild pictures from Hurricane Milton

Some astonishing pictures have come out of Florida demonstrating the destruction the recent hurricane has caused.

Hurricane Milton has flooded Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Thanks for joining us. We will be back with updates tomorrow.

Hurricane Milton has flooded Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Camera IconHurricane Milton has flooded Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Credit: X formerly Twitter/X formely Twitter
People look out at surge waters flooding the street from their building after Hurricane Milton came ashore in the Sarasota area on October 09, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida.
Camera IconPeople look out at surge waters flooding the street from their building after Hurricane Milton came ashore in the Sarasota area on October 09, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida. Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
A crane has collapsed under the intense winds of Hurricane Milton in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
Camera IconA crane has collapsed under the intense winds of Hurricane Milton in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Credit: Joey Krastel/X (Formerly Twitter)
The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration capture a satellite image of Hurricane Milton as it hits the west coast of Florida.
Camera IconThe Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration capture a satellite image of Hurricane Milton as it hits the west coast of Florida. Credit: CSU/CIRA/NOAA
Artemisia Blythe

Eye of Hurricane Milton exiting Florida’s east coast

The eye of Hurricane Milton is exiting Florida’s east coast and leaving behind flash flooding in its wake.

According to CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam, the eye travelled overnight from the Tampa Bay area towards Orlando and Cape Canaveral.

High winds, flooding, rain and a storm surge will continue to cause damage.

Conditions are expected to improve in the second half of Thursday.

Artemisia Blythe

Three million people without power

Hurricane Milton has knocked out power across a large section of Florida.

Over three million homes and businesses have lost power as of early Thursday morning.

Outages are expected to continue as the hurricane moves towards Florida’s east coast.

Artemisia Blythe

Hillsborough County announce recovery efforts underway

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has announced recovery efforts are underway.

In an announcement to ​Facebook​, they wrote: “Post-storm recovery efforts have begun in some parts of our county.”

“Please stay home, as we have received reports of downed trees and flooded streets. Your safety is our priority!”

Artemisia Blythe

Hurricane spawns ‘out of the ordinary’ tornadoes

Hurricane Milton spawned deadly tornadoes before hitting Florida, and while scientists say their appearance wasn’t unusual, their ferocity certainly was.

By Wednesday evening, more than 130 tornado warnings associated with Milton had been issued by National Weather Services offices in Florida.

The appearance of tornadoes before and during hurricanes is not unusual, scientists say, but the twisters’ ferocity was.

“It’s definitely out of the ordinary,” said Northern Illinois University meteorology professor Victor Gensini.

One of these tornados severely damaged the St Lucie County Sheriff’s office.

With AP.

Artemisia Blythe

Flooding and hurricane destruction

Fort Myers is witnessing flood waters slowly rising in the streets.

A video posted to X shows flooding covering stairs and mailboxes.

According to NWS Melbourne, the Daytona Beach Weather Radio Transmitter is off the air.

Artemisia Blythe

Where Hurricane Milton is now

Hurricane Milton is causing destruction across Florida.

A tower crane collapsed in downtown St. Petersburg, and the city will shut off its drinking water supply at midnight.

The cut-off is due to a significant water line break and will remain off until necessary repairs are made.

Hurricane-force winds have also reached the state’s east coast.

New York Times photographers capture key moments

There are also some amazing news photographs in this story from the New York Times.

High winds from Hurricane Milton hit Sarasota. (Callaghan O’Hare/The New York Times)
Camera IconHigh winds from Hurricane Milton hit Sarasota. (Callaghan O’Hare/The New York Times) Credit: NYT
Paula Acosta, right, moves her dogs into Middleton High School as their family takes shelter from Hurricane Milton, in Tampa. (Emily Kask/The New York Times)
Camera IconPaula Acosta, right, moves her dogs into Middleton High School as their family takes shelter from Hurricane Milton, in Tampa. (Emily Kask/The New York Times) Credit: NYT

Incredible images

We’re seeing some astonishing photographs coming out of Florida as Hurricane Milton makes its way across the peninsula. One image shows a person walking past a house with a car embedded in its front wall.

Hurricane Milton - Incredible damage in Wellington from a tornado spawned by Hurricane Milton’s outer rain bands. So sad and heartbreaking to see all the destruction. My heard goes out to all effected 🙏🏼 Our tornado threat is diminishing but Stay put tonight the Hurricane is making landfall in the next couple hours and winds from that will pick up steadily through the night and morning. James Wieland - Surfin' Weatherman/facebook
Camera IconHurricane Milton - Incredible damage in Wellington from a tornado spawned by Hurricane Milton’s outer rain bands. So sad and heartbreaking to see all the destruction. My heard goes out to all effected 🙏🏼 Our tornado threat is diminishing but Stay put tonight the Hurricane is making landfall in the next couple hours and winds from that will pick up steadily through the night and morning. James Wieland - Surfin' Weatherman/facebook Credit: James Wieland - Surfin' Weatherman/facebook/supplied
Max Corstorphan

‘It’s getting worse’

Journalist Minreet Kaur is in Orlando Florida and says wind and rain are “getting worse”.

I’ve never experienced anything like this,” she wrote.

“I’m scared just hearing the wind and rain.

“The lightning is like another level.”

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