Damage Reports Across Florida as Hurricane Milton Strikes

5 MINUTES AGO
From CNN’s Kathleen Magramo

As midnight approaches in much of Florida, the impact of Hurricane Milton continues to unfold. The storm made landfall around 8:30 p.m. ET near Siesta Key, initially classified as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane before weakening to a Category 2 as it moved inland, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Power outages have surged dramatically, with reports indicating that more than 2 million homes and businesses are currently without electricity. This figure has doubled in just three hours, as noted by PowerOutage.us.

Here’s a summary of the damage observed in various parts of Florida:

Bradenton:
After a brief lull, the storm intensified again, leading CNN’s Anderson Cooper to report heavy rainfall. Uprooted trees and rising water levels have become evident, with water from the river boardwalk “gushing in like the ocean.” Cooper noted that the water was rising around his knees, prompting his team to seek higher ground as conditions worsened.

Sarasota:
Destruction has been reported in the area, with growing concerns about potential damage from storm surges impacting downtown Sarasota, located about 20 minutes from where Milton made landfall. CNN’s Randi Kaye expressed alarm at the persistent strong winds, stating, “I keep thinking that the winds are going to die down, and they just keep picking up.” Additionally, she noted a significant drop in temperature, indicating the storm’s intensity.

St. Petersburg:
A tower crane on Central Avenue collapsed and fell onto a building, reported CNN’s Bill Weir. Fortunately, the city confirmed that no injuries occurred, but the incident highlights the powerful winds associated with Hurricane Milton. Just a mile away from the harbor, significant damage was also reported at Tropicana Field, where parts of the roof appeared to have ripped off, as captured in video footage by CNN affiliate WFTS.

Tampa:
In Tampa, CNN’s Brian Todd described the chaotic scene as trees and debris flowed past his crew amid heavy rain. “In Tampa Bay … we had to get out because the water started pounding against the seawall,” Todd recounted. He noted that the wind was extraordinarily powerful, with rain hitting them horizontally, “slamming into us like pellets.”

As Hurricane Milton continues to move inland, officials and emergency services are on high alert to assess the full extent of the damage and provide assistance to affected residents. Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves, and residents are urged to stay safe and follow local advisories.