Florida, Oct 11 (V7N) – Hurricane Milton is expected to barrel into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, following what President Joe Biden called "the storm of the century" as it crashed into Florida’s west coast. The hurricane made landfall as a fierce Category 3 storm late Wednesday, leaving destruction in its path.

In downtown Tampa, early Thursday, intense winds dismantled traffic lights, uprooted signs, and scattered construction barricades across the drenched streets. The storm tore off plywood from boarded-up homes and delayed emergency responders. Tropicana Field's roof was ripped off, while entire neighborhoods were inundated, and homes were destroyed.

By the time Milton was moving out of the state near Cape Canaveral, it had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, yet continued to pose a serious threat. Tornadoes spawned by the system tore through Sarasota County, including Siesta Key, and areas like Tampa Bay and Sarasota were pummeled, still reeling from the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago.

President Biden, Governor Ron DeSantis, and other officials issued days of warnings, urging residents to evacuate as the life-threatening storm approached. Sadly, at least two fatalities were reported at a retirement community in Fort Pierce, after a suspected tornado struck the area, according to St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson. More than 3 million homes and businesses were without power by early Thursday, leaving a large portion of the state in darkness, according to USA TODAY data.

“This is a matter of life and death,” President Biden emphasized during a White House emergency briefing.

As of 5 a.m. Thursday, the National Hurricane Center continued to warn of hurricane-force winds reaching 85 mph in east-central and northeast Florida. Residents were urged to seek shelter in interior rooms, away from windows.

Heavy rainfall persisted, with the risk of flash flooding, as forecasts predicted 6 to 12 inches of rain across central and northern Florida, with localized totals reaching up to 18 inches.

Stay with Voice7 News for the latest updates on Hurricane Milton as Florida grapples with yet another devastating storm.

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