Florida, Oct 11 (V7N) – Hurricane Milton tore across Florida on Thursday, leaving a trail of devastation from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic. The storm claimed at least 11 lives and left 3.1 million homes and businesses without power. Despite causing widespread destruction, Milton spared Florida the "worst-case scenario" that meteorologists had feared.

Neighborhoods were submerged, homes destroyed, and a massive crane toppled into an office building. In St. Petersburg, Volusia, Polk, Citrus, and St. Lucie counties, a total of 11 deaths were confirmed, including five in St. Lucie following tornadoes.

Governor Ron DeSantis, in a briefing Thursday, noted that while the storm caused significant damage, its impact was less severe than initially expected, largely due to its weakening before landfall. Tampa experienced a reverse storm surge, pulling water away from the shoreline rather than flooding the city.

Milton's powerful landfall came just two weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged Florida, continuing the state’s battle with back-to-back storms. Milton struck Siesta Key around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing 120 mph winds and numerous tornadoes. Power outages continued to grow as the storm exited Florida’s eastern coast, leaving millions in darkness.

Stay tuned to Voice7 News for live updates as Florida picks up the pieces.

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