Hurricane Milton tracker LIVE updates: Storm makes landfall amidst warnings of death and destruction (original) (raw)
People still remaining in the path of Hurricane Milton in Florida have been warned "not to hunker down" as "10-foot storm surges" are expected within hours.
Authorities had ordered residents to flee their homes as the hurricane speeds towards the state as it is feared to be powerful enough to swallow homes. Meteorologists are saying Milton will make landfall between 2am and 3am GMT on the state's east coast.
Experts say it is likely to be the region's most devastating storm in living memory, bringing winds of up to 165mph and flood water exceeding the height of a double-decker bus.
Speaking in today's press conference, Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, said: "Unfortunately there will be fatalities. I don’t think there’s any way around that." Gov. Ron DeSantis said to people choosing to remain home on barrier islands, “just know that if you get 10 feet of storm surge, you can’t just hunker down with that.”
The Mayor of Tampa, meanwhile, has bluntly warned residents refusing to leave that "your house will be your coffin", adding "if you choose to stay… you are going to die".
Are you on holiday in Florida and caught in the storm? Tell us at webnews@mirror.co.uk
The Category 4 storm sparked Virgin Atlantic to cancel 23 return flights between the UK and Florida this morning, leaving several tourists stranded across the pond. The airline told passengers: "A state of emergency has been declared in Florida. Unfortunately, this has impacted Virgin Atlantic’s flying schedule, and services to and from Orlando and Tampa are subject to cancellations and delays."
Milton has so far swept across the Gulf of Mexico, and experts say it could bring life-threatening destruction to areas still reeling from devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene 12 days ago, as Florida braces for its arrival in the coming hours.
Follow our live blog and hurricane tracker below
04:15William Morgan
How Hurricane Milton smashed into Florida's west coast
Hurricane Milton unleashed its fury on Florida's west coast as a Category 3 storm, making landfall at Siesta Key on Wednesday night (1.30am GMT). The idyllic barrier island, known for its pristine white-sand beaches and a population of roughly 5,500, is situated approximately 70 miles south of Tampa, and received a direct blast from the devastating weather system.
However the more damaging effects of Hurricane Milton were almost immediately felt elsewhere on Florida's east coast with vast storm surges bringing up to 10 feet of water to heavily populated parts of the sunshine state. Terrifying wind speeds of 120mph were recorded on the coast, with the hurricane even briefly draining the seafront of Tampa Bay completely dry.
04:08William Morgan
100mph wind gusts tear roof off stadium and send giant crane flying
Hurricane Milton has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm as it makes its way inland, but wind gusts of around 100mph are continuing to cause further devastation on Florida's west coast.
Residents in St Petersburg who are sheltering in place, in defiance of multiple evacuation orders and requests from officials, have shared pictures of the mayhem caused by the high winds.
The winds have torn the roof off the Tropicana Field baseball stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, and sent a giant crane flying in central St Petersburg.
No injuries have been reported.
A crane at 400 Central just fell into the office building at 490 1st Ave S. This is the view from McNulty Lofts pic.twitter.com/p5nKRDyw0s
— YIMBY St. Pete (@yimbystpete) October 10, 2024
03:30William Morgan
Florida police save abandoned dog from hurricane blast
Before Milton hit Florida, state troopers patrolling the highway spotted something troubling by the side of the road - a dog that someone had cruelly tied up and left.
Thankfully, the kind cops were able to save the quivering pooch and bring it indoors, before Hurricane Milton struck.
You can read the full story here.
03:16William Morgan
Tampa seeing 'flash flood emergency' as Milton unleashes deluge
The National Hurricane Centre has issued an update as Hurricane Milton devastates the central belt of Florida, with extreme flash flooding pouring through Sarasota and Tampa.
The public body has issued a "flash flood emergency" warning for the Tampa area, as the hurricane begins to move inland. It leaves behind communities that are dealing with up to 10ft of storm surges and sustained wind speeds over 100mph.
Roughly 10 to 14 inches of rain have already fallen across these coastal communities, and a further six to eight inches are forecast to fall in the coming six hours as storm waters surge across the west coast.
Multiple fatalities have already been confirmed by US authorities, with tornadoes in St Lucie County spawned by the hurricane flattening homes and leaving an unconfirmed number of people dead.
02:02William Morgan
Eerie video shows Tampa Bay DRY
Communities across western Florida are experiencing extreme storm surges of up to 10ft of water and flash flooding pouring through communities, but near to the centre of the now-Category 3 Hurricane, eerie footage shows the seafront of Tampa Bay completely dry.
With torrents of water drawn up by the 175mph wind speed of Hurricane Milton, the waters have almost completely receded, momentarily, from Tampa Bay, close to where the storm made landfall.
The water has been sucked out of Tampa Bay by Milton.
Happened fast. pic.twitter.com/8ghtF5SZYx— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) October 10, 2024
01:51William Morgan
Extreme rainfall and surging waters devastating Florida's west coast
Pictures from Florida's west coast are showing apocalyptic storm surges as Hurricane Milton makes landfall.
A Venice resident has shared footage of floodwaters pouring through the town, while other areas are reporting up to 10ft of flash flooding.
“Between 6 and 12 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” the Tampa National Weather Service warned.
“Life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.”
There are now roughly 770,000 people without power across the state.
Meanwhile, as the eye of the storm passed over Sarasota and brought a brief respite, some residents were seen getting into their vehicles and doing donuts in the street, knowing that the police would not come out in the dangerous conditions, according to NBC.
Storm surge is absolutely pouring into Venice, Florida now as hurricane #Milton makes landfall. pic.twitter.com/jnp8KzStjk
— Bryce Shelton (@BryceShelton01) October 10, 2024
01:39KEY EVENT
Hurricane Milton makes landfall
Hurricane Milton has officially made landfall, hitting Siesta Key in Florida as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120mph and gusts up to 140mph. It will slowly move from west to east across the central belt of Florida, at full hurricane strength.
More dangerous and life-threatening than the immediate wind speeds are the vast storm surges now being seen across Florida's west coast, devastating Tampa Bay, Naples and St Petersburg with flash floods of up to 10ft.
Half a million people in this area are now also without power, while emergency services have warned in advance of the hurricane that they will not be able to rescue anyone who has remained behind, after repeated warnings about the deadly force of Hurricane Milton, which built into a rare Category 5 as it made its way across the Gulf of Mexico.
01:14William Morgan
'Catastrophic' flooding in Tampa as Milton hits
Hurricane-force winds of around 90mph are being reported in the Tampa Bay area, where Hurricane Milton is starting to make landfall.
As the Category 5 storm approaches and lessens to a Category 3, tornados and storm surges have already wreaked havoc across Florida, destroying homes and unleashing torrents of water across the state.
Officials in Tampa are now warning of "catastrophic" flooding with half a foot of water falling in less than six hours, and more than half a foot forecast to fall while the hurricane makes its way across the center of Florida.
The US Weather Prediction Center has warned: "An axis of extreme rainfall, stretching from the Tampa metropolitan region northeastward into the north-central Florida Peninsula, is expected to result in major to locally catastrophic flash flooding with considerable threats to life and property,”
Meanwhile, more than half a million homes in Florida are now without power, as floodwaters and hurricane-force winds tear through the sunshine state.
Forecasters are saying the hurricane will officially make landfall in the next hour, with "damaging winds and flooding rains occurring across portions of central and southwestern Florida."
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Nasa/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock (14767649g) The external camera aboard the International Space Station captured the eye of Hurricane Milton, currently a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane at the time of capture, as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico heading for Florida, October 7, 2024 off the coast Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Catastrophic Hurricane Milton Creeps Toward Florida, Gulf of Mexico, United States - 08 Oct 2024
00:45KEY EVENT
Hurricane to make landfall in next two hours
Weather forecasters have shortened the timetable for Hurricane Milton to make landfall, now likely to smash into Florida's east coast over the next two hours.
CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan has updated the storm forecast to show Milton making landfall between 2am and 3am GMT, or 9pm and 10pm local time. The hurricane is expected to slow slightly to 130mph as it tears across central Florida.
The tip of the hurricane, referred to as the "northern eyewall of the hurricane" by the US National Hurricane Centre, which is now warning residents in Tampa and nearby St Petersburg of "extremely dangerous hurricane-force winds."
00:28William Morgan
Storm surges grows as Milton nears
Bradenton Florida is starting to see some storm surge from Hurricane Milton. pic.twitter.com/ECDEH3IwI3
— Independent Economics (@IndependentEco) October 9, 2024
23:28Joseph Gamp
Devastating images show Fort Pierce house razed to the ground ahead of Hurricane Milton landfall
A series of tornadoes are tearing through Florida's east and west coasts, as the state prepares for the worst hurricane in a century to arrive in a matter of hours.
Several people from across the state have been posting footage of tornadoes that have been spawned by ferocious wins as the devastating weather system approaches.
The images below show damage to a person's building in Fort Pierce based on the ast coast of the state and around 153 miles from where Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall.
Twitter user Phydew captioned the images: "@NWSMiami @NWSMelbourne @ryanhallyall my friend in fort pierce just sent me these images."
@NWSMiami @NWSMelbourne @ryanhallyall my friend in fort pierce just sent me these images pic.twitter.com/oRGwaSZiKL
— phydeww (@phydeww) October 9, 2024
23:21William Morgan
Storm surges begin ramping up
Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida's west coast, whipping up waves and flash floods that could see some in the state's southwest covered by a 10 foot storm surge in the next few hours.
Forecasters have said some areas could see surges up to 30ft when Milton reaches land. Already, coastal areas like Naples and Fort Myers are seeing storm waters surge by over a metre, while Milton continues to barrel over the Gulf of Mexico toward the central belt of Florida.
It is expected to decrease in wind speed once it makes landfall, slowing to a still-devastating 130mph Category 3 as it moves west to east across the state. Pictures from Naples show the town's pier already struggling with the surging waters.
National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said: “I am scared to death of some of these storm surge levels. The values are absolutely dangerous and deadly.”
22:37KEY EVENT
Moment tornado rips up residential area ahead of Hurricane Milton landfall
This is the terrifying moment a tornado ripped through Florida as Hurricane Milton churns towards the state.
The latest of several tornadoes has battered Wellington on Southern Blvd in Wellington, a suburban area popular with families. The video shows it twist through the area, as the apocalyptic weather sweeps its way through the state.
The hurricane itself, a category four storm, is yet to even reach land at Florida so the worst of the weather is yet to come, fear meteorologists. Yet, thousands of people are without power in the state already.
The US Coastguard has now pre-staged and prepositioned personnel, aircraft and boats in advance of Hurricane Milton, thought to be Florida's worst hurricane in a century.
Terrifying video shows tornado ripping up residential area
22:27Bradley Jolly
Harrowing video shows scale of tornado damage as whole streets destroyed
Shocking footage shows houses damaged and uprooted trees after a tornado hit Florida - as Hurricane Milton churns towards the state.
The hurricane four cyclone has already caused wind speeds to rocket across the state, where thousands of people are without power. The US Coastguard has now pre-staged and prepositioned personnel, aircraft and boats in advance of Hurricane Milton, thought to be Florida's worst hurricane in a century.
One reporter tweeted: "Tornado damage here in Fort Myers ahead of Hurricane #Milton making landfall. Roofs completely blown off homes. People now seeking alternate shelter. Orangewood Avenue. Downed trees, power lines, fences. Power is out. Thankfully, no reported injuries."
Harrowing video shows scale of tornado damage as whole streets destroyed
21:52Bradley Jolly
Anxious Brits in Florida 'preparing for worst' as apocalyptic storm approaches
British nationals in Florida are "preparing for the worst" as Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on the west coast of the state.
Winds of up to 165mph are expected across Florida today and tomorrow and heavy rainfall will batter residents, including expats, and tourists. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said there is an increasing risk of a life-threatening storm surge on the west coast.
Kate Collins, 52, said, although she is not living in a mandatory evacuation zone, she has gathered supplies for the hurricane, including a generator, batteries, lanterns, food, and water. Ms Collins, who was raised in Plymouth and moved to Florida 30 years ago, said she is sheltering with five people and five dogs in her home in Volusia County, which is under mandatory curfew from 8pm local time on Wednesday.
Anxious Brits in Florida 'preparing for worst' as apocalyptic storm approaches
21:12Bradley Jolly
Tornadoes tear through Florida with 8 more expected before hurricane - full list
Several tornadoes - each at speeds of up to 55mph - are expected to rip through Florida in the next 24 hours before Hurricane Milton strikes.
Meteorologists at TornadoHq, which monitors the phenomena, have tracked at least eight set to cause disruption, including a 55mph cyclone near East Naples moving northwards. They follow some tornadoes, which have already swept across the state in the southeast of the US.
They're as a result of Hurricane Milton, currently looming outside Florida and set to barrel eastwards over the next day or two. Millions of residents have been ordered to evacuate - or die - as Milton is feared to be the worst hurricane in one century. Pictures on social media show cyclones near Fort Lauderdale, one in the Collier County area and a stovepipe tornado circulating in Broward County. Each has caused destruction of properties and left widespread debris.
Tornadoes tear through Florida with 8 more expected before hurricane - full list
A car moves past waves crashing against the Malecon promenade in Havana (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
21:01KEY EVENT
Watch Hurricane Milton webcams live
Hurricane Milton continues to churn in the hot Gulf of Mexico waters, with windspeeds reaching 160mph on Wednesday morning.
It returned to a Category 5 storm on Tuesday night (but has since been downgraded again), with the Tampa Bay area most at risk of Milton's destructive wrath. There could be a horrifying 15ft storm surge on Florida's west coast, sparking widespread floods and dangerous projectiles.
There are a number of livestream webcams across the Floridian coast, including in Clearwater, Key West, and Tampa itself. You can follow all of the horrifying scenes across the state as Milton makes landfall from Wednesday night, until early Friday morning.
20:55Bradley Jolly
Piolice rescue dog tied to a pole beside route I-75
FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please… pic.twitter.com/8cZJOfkJL2
— FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) October 9, 2024
20:44Bradley Jolly
Disney World and Universal closures halt Orlando tourism
Disney World and Universal closures halt Orlando tourism as Milton approaches
Tourism in Orlando rapidly came to a standstill Wednesday with the main airport and at least three theme parks and other businesses set to shut down, leaving Florida residents and visitors fleeing Hurricane Milton to hunker down in area hotels.
Milton, which is expected to come ashore late Wednesday as a major storm, threatened to ruin the vacations of tens of thousands of tourists who came to Orlando to visit the likes of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, or partake in October festivities like Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. Disney and Universal were due to close Wednesday afternoon while SeaWorld did not open at all. All are expected to remain closed Thursday.
People at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida (
Image:
SWNS)
20:39Bradley Jolly
How can authorities respond to Milton?
In North Carolina, a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) regional official says the agency can respond to both Helene and Milton.
Asked at a briefing in Buncombe County, North Carolina, about FEMA’s ability to respond to both Milton and Helene, MaryAnn Tierney, a regional administrator for the agency replied: “FEMA can do more than one thing at a time.”
The agency can provide personnel to western North Carolina and assistance to survivors while balancing needs created by Hurricane Milton, Tierney said.
“FEMA has funding and we have personnel to do so. We have hundreds of personnel in North Carolina. We have hundreds of personnel in Florida. We are here for an extended period of time given the long-term recovery,” she said. “FEMA’s mission in western North Carolina will be enduring.”
Power outages are climbing even beforeMilton makes landfall, with more than 44,000 customers in Florida now without power.
Hundreds take shelter at Virgil Mills Elementary School ahead of Hurricane Milton (
Image:
Anadolu via Getty Images)
20:11Bradley Jolly
NASA's Kennedy Space Center closes due to the weather
Kennedy has entered HURCON I ahead of Hurricane #Milton's approach.
The center is now closed, with the exception of essential emergency response personnel and Ride Out Team members.
For more updates, continue to check our Operating Status: https://t.co/FZaGw4DdLR pic.twitter.com/taVMXyb6Wi
— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) October 9, 2024
20:02Bradley Jolly
Hurricane Milton's 'skull' shape captured via satellite image
As its "skull" shape has been captured via satellite image, Hurricane Milton is set to smash Florida and bring with it 160mph wind and 15-foot storm surges - already forcing millions to evacuate.
The sinister shape of the deadly hurricane has been captured in satellite imagery, with some online users taking the image as a bad omen.
Terrifying footage of the eerie face shows the Category 4 hurricane as it barrels towards the Florida coastline - ready to ruin anything in its path as millions evacuate to stand a chance of living.
The National Hurricane Center has now warned on X that as the hurricane looms, "the time to prepare, including evacuate" is "quickly coming to an end".
1PM EDT #Milton Position update: Tropical-storm-force winds are just offshore the west coast of Florida. Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. For the latest information visit https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/RfuLrfqxNh
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 9, 2024
19:59Bradley Jolly
'Where you are now is where you are going to be during the duration of Milton'
Manatee County officials warn residents who haven’t evacuated the area that it’s now too late
“Where you are now is where you are going to be during the duration of Milton,” said the county’s chief of emergency management, Matt Myers. “The conditions are rapidly getting worse.”
Myers said EMS (Emergency Medical Service) and fire protection are no longer responding to the county’s islands and bridges are closed.
Officials said they expect the hurricane to make landfall in the area overnight. They urged citizens sheltering in place to stay in the centre of their home and make sure their devices are charged.
Winds and rain have intensified here in #Sarasota #manateecounty area Tune in @BN9 pic.twitter.com/8xnofJi2mq
— Julia Hazel (@Julia_HazelTV) October 9, 2024
19:20Bradley Jolly
Biden and Harris slam misinformation around Hurricane Milton
Both Biden and Harris denounced the misinformation and disinformation surrounding the federal response to Helene, including the false assertion that there is a cap on assistance funding families can receive. They also denounced the false notion that funding is diverted away from Republican-heavy areas and to people in the country illegally and that federal authorities offering aid could eventually steal property from its owners. Both singled out Trump as driving much of the falsehoods.
“I want to be clear about something. Over the last few weeks, there’s been a reckless, irresponsible, and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies that are disturbing people," Biden said during the Milton briefing. "It’s undermining confidence in the incredible rescue and recovery work that has already been taken and will continue to be taken. And it’s harmful to those who need help the most.”
“What a ridiculous thing to say,” Biden said of the false rumors that funding is being diverted to migrants in the country illegally. Biden also referenced Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene 's false suggestion that “I control the weather," he said, calling her comments like something “out of a comic book.”
“It’s beyond ridiculous," Biden said. "It’s got to stop.”
US President Joe Biden listens during a briefing about Hurricane Milton (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
18:52Bradley Jolly
Hurricane Milton’s effects also being felt in Cuba
Milton’s effects are also being felt in Cuba.
Since early Wednesday morning and despite the distance, the impact of Milton was felt in the western part of Cuba — including the provinces of Mayabeque, Pinar del Río, Isla de la Juventud and Havana — with strong winds, intermittent rains and moderate flooding in low-lying areas.
The Malecón in Havana was closed to traffic and waves of several meters jumped over the wall, flooding the first line of buildings Wednesday.
The meteorological station in La Palma, Pinar del Río reported a maximum gust of 82 kph (51 mph) and in the town of Casablanca, on the outskirts of Havana, a maximum gust of 72 kph (45 mph) was reported. No deaths were reported.
By early afternoon, airlines had cancelled about 1,900 U.S. flights, with more than 80% of them at three large Florida airports that were closed by the storm and another, Miami International, that remained open.
Tampa International Airport closed Tuesday, Orlando International shut down Wednesday morning and Southwest Florida International near Fort Myers planned to reopen Friday. Some smaller airports in the state also shut down. Widespread cancellations extended into Atlanta and Charlotte.
Gov. DeSantis: "If you are in the path of this storm, you are most likely going to lose power."
A car drives through the heavy rain in Fort Myers, Florida (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
18:16Bradley Jolly
Tornado touches down in Fort Myers near Page Field Airport
An apparent tornado touched down in a Fort Myers neighborhood near Page Field Airport.
It happened Wednesday afternoon, well in advance of Hurricane Milton’s arrival.
Trees limbs were snapped off, the canopy from a gas station was torn to shreds and pieces of it littered the road, and and ice machine was thrown about 30 feet (9 metres).
The neighborhood has branches from trees strewn across the road. The area remains in a tornado watch throughout the day.
Four major bridges in the Tampa Bay area, including the famous Sunshine Skyway Bridge, have closed.
Tourist takes pictures as waves crash against the Malecon promenade in Havana (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
17:54Bradley Jolly
Curfews begin in Charlotte County
A curfew will begin Wednesday night in Charlotte County
A 9 pm to 6 am curfew has been enacted in Charlotte County, along southwestern Florida’s Gulf Coast, officials said on the county’s webpage.
The curfew begins Wednesday night, is in place until further notice and prohibits the sale of alcohol in the county between 9pm and 6am until the curfew is lifted. Violating the curfew is a misdemeanor.
"Although I recognise the frustrations that come with enacting a curfew, this is a means of protecting the people and property of Charlotte County during and following Hurricane Milton,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said.
“As soon as it is safe, I will recommend the order be rescinded. Until that time, the only people who should be out on the roadways during those hours are essential workers as they strive to assess damage and provide assistance to those in need and people traveling to and from work.”
17:18Bradley Jolly
Waffle House Index offers little hope for Florida residents
If a Waffle House stays open in town in the US, even in a limited capacity, neighbours are reassured that the coming storm is unlikely to cause devastation.
A closed location of the dependable diner chain has come to indicate impending disaster. The metric is known as the Waffle House Index.
And the current one for Florida makes for grim reading...
These updated #whindex status maps reflect our closures as of 2PM this afternoon in advance of #HurricaneMilton. Please stay safe.
***Due to the potential for variations in Milton's path, this information is subject to change without notice. Please follow local guidance. pic.twitter.com/vqV3RO5KT4
— Waffle House (@WaffleHouse) October 9, 2024
17:16Bradley Jolly
'This is your last chance if you need to get to a shelter'
Pasco County officials say "this is your last chance if you need to get to a shelter"
Shortly before noon Wednesday, officials in Pasco County, home to more than 500,000 people in bedroom communities for Tampa and St. Petersburg, said they were getting ready to take buses off the roads.
“This is your last chance if you need to get to a shelter. After that, you’ll need to find a way to the shelter or be prepared to ride out the storm,” the Pasco County Public Information Office said in a written statement.
The county has six shelters open for anyone in mandatory evacuation zones.
Tampa looks deserted as residents prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Milton (
Image:
Getty Images)
16:45Antony Clements-Thrower
Terrifying footage shows tornado ripping through major interstate highway
A terrifying tornado was caught on camera ripping through a major highway in the run up to the arrival of Hurricane Milton.
The twister, of unknown size, was spotted crossing the 1-75 near Sunrise, Florida - around 255 miles from Tampa Bay. It is unknown if there was any damage or any casualties caused by the force of nature. The National Weather Service in Miami posted a photo on the social platform X, writing: "TORNADO crossing I-75 as we speak! Seek shelter NOW!"
People in the area have been warned tornadoes will be “frequent” as Hurricane Milton approaches. Although they are expected to be weak, they will move into highly populated areas and potentially put people’s lives at risk. NBC reported: “Wednesday and Thursday will feel the impacts locally from Hurricane Milton. Tornadoes will be frequent, but weak in the bands of Milton.
Terrifying footage shows tornado ripping through major interstate highway