Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday at approximately 8:30 p.m. (0030 GMT Thursday), striking the Siesta Key area along Florida’s west coast as an “extremely dangerous Category 3” storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Meteorologists reported wind speeds reaching up to 193 kilometers per hour.
In light of the impending crisis, President Joe Biden has postponed his scheduled trip to Germany and Angola, originally set to commence on Thursday.
Initially categorized as a Category 5 storm while approaching Florida from the Gulf of Mexico, Milton was subsequently downgraded to Category 4 and later to Category 3 before landfall.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized the gravity of the situation on CNN, describing it as a matter of life and death.
The storm is anticipated to traverse from Florida’s Gulf Coast across the state toward the Atlantic Ocean, with expectations of severe destruction extending beyond coastal areas.
Prior to the hurricane’s arrival, tornadoes were reported in various regions of Florida, and water levels surged rapidly as strong winds pushed seawater inland.
Meteorologists have warned that Hurricane Milton could potentially become one of the most perilous storms in Florida’s history, with forecasts indicating extreme wind speeds, heavy rainfall, and hazardous storm surges that may lead to widespread flooding.
Authorities have urged millions to evacuate, resulting in reports of traffic congestion and fuel shortages.
