Hurricane Milton roared through Florida like an unwelcome guest on Thursday, crashing in from the Gulf of Mexico and refusing to leave without making its mark. With winds howling at 120 mph, the storm swirled across the state, leaving behind a trail of flooded streets, powerless homes, and shredded rooftops. Even the mighty Atlantic could only watch as Milton barreled toward it, leaving millions in the dark and a once-proud sports venue missing its roof. Yet, amid the chaos, officials clung to a glimmer of relief: it could’ve been worse.
At Fort Pierce’s retirement community, tragedy struck when a suspected tornado ripped through, claiming two lives and adding sorrow to the storm’s wake. Sheriff Keith Pearson described the devastation with grim resolve, while over 3.3 million Floridians waited in powerless uncertainty. Still, there was a sense of relief in the air. Governor Ron DeSantis, stoic yet hopeful, reminded residents that while Milton’s fury was undeniable, it fell short of Hurricane Helene’s earlier wrath. Tampa Bay, spared from a feared massive storm surge, instead saw its waters drawn away, leaving behind an eerie calm that officials warned was deceptive.
The western coast of Florida bore the brunt of Milton’s fury, with Siesta Key becoming ground zero for landfall late Wednesday. Tornadoes and floods wreaked havoc across Tampa, Clearwater, and beyond, while Milton’s unruly winds sent barricades flying like toys and brought down the brick facade of a downtown building. As the storm slowly crept eastward toward Cape Canaveral, Florida held its breath, hoping that the worst was now behind it.
Yet, in this battered state, resilience runs deep. The storm had raged, but the people, even in their darkest hour, began to look ahead. The sun might not have broken through the clouds just yet, but it would—and when it did, Florida would rise once more.
(Source: NBC 6 South Florida | 9News | WMUR)