Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday as a Category 3 storm with winds of 190 miles per hour, slamming into Florida's west coast before circling east through the center of the state.
This devastating landfall occurred just two weeks after Hurricane Helen hit Florida before devastating North Carolina. Residents of Florida boarded up their windows and evacuated their homes for the time being in preparation for Milton.
“Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record in central and central Florida,” the National Hurricane Center announced Wednesday.
The storm is expected to pass over Florida into Wednesday night and enter the Atlantic Ocean into Thursday morning.
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Damage from Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helen (National Weather Bureau)
Milton could experience historically deep storm surge and wind gusts well in excess of 160 mph over the next 36 hours. According to FOX Weather, storm surge forecasts along the Central West Coast predict devastating waves from hurricane-force winds will reach water 10 to 15 feet high.
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“Yes, you may have 'experienced a hurricane before,'” says FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Brian Norcross. “But we didn't experience the storm of 1921, which flooded much of Pinellas County, or the hurricane of 1848, which inundated 15 feet of Gulf water where downtown Tampa is today.”
Lee County Sheriff's officers patrol the streets of Cape Coral, Florida, Wednesday during heavy rain ahead of Hurricane Milton. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandia)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis activated thousands of National Guard troops on standby for search and rescue after the storm. President Biden's administration is also pre-deploying resources and hundreds of personnel.
Biden declared Florida a disaster area ahead of the Milton Island landing to speed up FEMA's preparedness and response.
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Broken power poles can be seen toppled by strong winds as Hurricane Milton approaches Fort Myers, Florida, on Wednesday. (Reuters/Ricardo Arduengo)
National Hurricane Center in miami Early Wednesday evening, it warned that Hurricane Milton's northern eyewall was beginning to spread over land along the Florida Gulf Coast, urging residents to “stay in place as these extremely dangerous hurricane-force winds spread through the region.” He urged people to evacuate.
public safety information manager James Lucas of the Florida Incident Assistance Team warned that weather conditions will prevent rescue teams from saving lives as Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida.
On Wednesday, a tornado believed to have been caused by Hurricane Milton ripped off the awning of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Cape Coral, Florida. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandia)
“Weather conditions are rapidly deteriorating and rescue workers will not be able to get inside,” Lucas told Fox News Digital's Gabriele Regalbuto. “That means law enforcement officers won't be able to respond to any kind of emergency because the storm is moving through at 160 miles per hour.”
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Lucas said the safety of the lives of first responders and the public is the top priority.
“We won't be able to go to the affected areas during the storm,” Lucas said. “That's why the mayor of Tampa and the governor of Florida are asking people in those areas to evacuate.”
