Darkness descended as Hurricane Milton crashed into Florida’s Gulf Coast, bringing deadly tornadoes and flooding, and leaving millions without power. The storm, a Category 3 hurricane, made landfall near Siesta Key, Sarasota County, on October 9 at around 8:30 p.m.

With winds over 120 mph and heavy rain, it caused widespread devastation. Over 1.1 million homes and businesses were affected, particularly in Sarasota, Manatee, and Hardee counties. The Florida Division of Emergency Management urged residents to “shelter in place and remain vigilant.”

Tornadoes hit St. Lucie County, resulting in fatalities at the Spanish Lakes Country Club. Search and rescue efforts continued, with authorities combing through debris, listening for survivors.

Meanwhile, St. Petersburg saw unprecedented rainfall, with over nine inches falling in just three hours, leading to a flash flood emergency. Statewide, emergency teams were deployed to help those impacted, while authorities emphasized that life safety was the top priority as Hurricane Milton continued to move inland.