Hurricane Milton weakened slightly to a Category 3 storm on Wednesday, making landfall along Florida’s west-central Gulf Coast near Sarasota that evening.
The storm hit Siesta Key in Sarasota County around 8:30 p.m. ET, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). It was projected to cross Florida’s central peninsula overnight before emerging on the state’s east coast Thursday.
“This is an extremely life-threatening situation,” the NHC warned earlier.
CBS News Meteorologist Nikki Nolan explained that although Milton would rapidly weaken after losing access to the warm Gulf waters, it would still maintain hurricane strength until it exits into the Atlantic Ocean, where it will likely transition into a tropical storm by Thursday afternoon.
Initially reaching Category 5 strength on Monday with sustained winds of 180 mph, Milton’s rapid intensification was described by the NHC as “remarkable.” By Wednesday evening, wind speeds had declined to 120 mph as the storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane.
“Little change in strength is likely until landfall,” the NHC stated, adding that Milton would remain a hurricane while crossing central Florida through Thursday.
Forecasters warned of destructive storm surges and hurricane-force winds along large sections of the coastline. Heavy rains were also expected to drench a state still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Meteorologists reported that tropical-storm-force winds began churning offshore and rain started to fall in Tampa Bay, while tornadic supercells led to several tornadoes across southern and central Florida.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had predicted landfall in Manatee County, just south of Tampa Bay, but the storm shifted slightly southward as it approached. A hurricane warning was in effect for the Florida west coast from Bonita Beach to Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay, and on the east coast from the St. Lucie-Martin County line to Ponte Vedra Beach.
A storm surge warning covered much of the Florida west coast, with the NHC warning that surges in Tampa Bay could reach 8 to 12 feet and up to 13 feet from Anna Maria Island to Boca Grande. Rainfall of up to 18 inches was forecasted for central and northern Florida, raising concerns of flash flooding and river flooding.
Governor DeSantis urged residents to seek shelter if they hadn’t evacuated, warning that “there will be fatalities” from the storm as some people choose not to leave. Emergency management officials prepared for what could be the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017.
President Biden, who postponed a trip to Germany and Angola due to Milton, emphasized the importance of following safety instructions, including evacuation orders, noting that “people are dying” from recent storms.
By Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service advised residents to shelter in place as the storm’s impacts—including heavy rains, strong winds, and tornadoes—spread inland across Florida.
