Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm, causing widespread damage, power outages, and loss of life. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph and brought a dangerous storm surge to densely populated areas like Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Fort Myers. The iconic Tropicana Stadium in St. Petersburg had its roof ripped off by the powerful winds, showcasing the extent of the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton.
Search and rescue operations were launched in Florida after dangerous tornadoes hit the area before Hurricane Milton made landfall. Approximately 125 homes were destroyed, with many being mobile homes in senior citizen communities. St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson shared a video showing a 10,000-square-foot iron building twisted into a crumpled heap by a tornado. The tornadoes and high winds caused significant damage across the state, leading to a need for rescue efforts and assistance for affected communities.
Pop superstar Taylor Swift donated $5 million to support relief efforts for communities affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Her generous donation will help communities rebuild and recover by providing essential food, clean water, and supplies to those affected by the devastating storms. Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot expressed gratitude to Taylor Swift for standing with them in the movement to end hunger and for supporting communities in need during this challenging time.
Multiple cranes collapsed in St. Petersburg due to high winds from Hurricane Milton, causing concerns about structural damage and potential injuries. The city was located near where the storm made landfall, and reports of crane collapses were confirmed by the National Weather Service. One crane collapse occurred at a construction site for a luxury high-rise building, without any reported injuries. The impact of the storm led to the collapse of several cranes in the area, highlighting the destructive force of Hurricane Milton.
Hurricane Milton spawned deadly tornadoes across Florida, with at least 19 tornadoes reported as the storm unleashed powerful surges and freak winds. Police confirmed two elderly residents were killed in Fort Pierce, where rescue teams were searching for survivors trapped in a retirement community. Emergency services in Orlando suspended their operations due to extreme conditions, with forecasters warning of storm surges up to 13 feet and flash flood warnings in effect across Tampa. The extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Milton required a coordinated response to address the challenges faced by affected communities in Florida.
