Early Thursday, authorities began uating the aftermath as the storm transitioned into the Atlantic Ocean, following a night of high winds, heavy rain, and storm surges.
As of Thursday morning, over 3 million energy customers in Florida were without power, according to PowerOutage.us. The hurricane's tornadoes have been particularly devastating, with St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson confirming fatalities, though the exact number has not been disclosed.
Approximately 125 homes, especially mobile homes in senior communities, were destroyed before Milton made landfall, reported Kevin Guthrie from the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The National Hurricane Center highlighted "significant flooding and damaging winds" in the storm's wake, noting that the worst impacts have shifted to east-central and northeastern Florida.
Dramatic footage from St. Petersburg revealed winds of 90 mph causing a crane to collapse at a construction site, though no injuries were reported. The winds also damaged a portion of the roof at Tropicana Field, where officials confirmed the safety of those sheltering inside. Additionally, a major water main break affected potable water services throughout the city, with repairs anticipated to take time.
In the north of Tampa, the Pasco Sheriff's Office reported over 140 calls regarding road obstructions, with responders working swiftly to clear hazards. Hillsborough County officials also noted significant storm damage, particularly to a 7-Eleven store, urging residents to remain indoors while cleanup efforts continued.
