Cleanup and repairs are underway in Florida following Hurricane Milton, which swept across the state from coast to coast overnight, claiming at least nine lives, damaging thousands of buildings, halting travel, and leaving more than 3 million residents without power.
Milton hit the coast as a Category 3 storm around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday near Siesta Key, close to Sarasota. It weakened to a Category 1 as it crossed the Florida peninsula, eventually moving offshore into the Atlantic Ocean this morning. It was Florida’s third hurricane of the season.
Before moving out, Milton triggered numerous tornadoes, caused severe flooding (with nearly 19 inches of rain in St. Petersburg), and brought record storm surges along the coastline.
The storm also caused major disruptions to transportation across the state. All major airports were shut down, with over 3,000 flights canceled. The state’s ports were closed, and many highways were blocked by debris or damage.
The Florida Department of Transportation shared an update on Facebook today, stating, “Our crews are on the ground inspecting and repairing areas impacted by #HurricaneMilton, including a washout on southbound Florida’s Turnpike/SR 91 at milepost 280 in Lake County. Safety is our top priority as we work to restore services throughout the Turnpike system.”
For the latest road conditions, visit Florida511.
