Hurricane Milton Hits Florida as a Powerful Category 3 Storm

Hurricane Milton has made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, striking as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120 mph, as reported by the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to produce life-threatening storm surges, heavy rainfall, and destructive winds in areas close to and far from its center.

Milton is projected to maintain its hurricane strength as it moves across central Florida into Thursday morning. This marks the fifth hurricane to impact the U.S. this year, following Category 1 storms Beryl and Debby, Category 2 Francine, and Category 4 Helene.

Notably, the number of hurricanes making landfall in the U.S. this year exceeds the total from 2021 to 2023 combined. Hurricane Milton made landfall at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday.