LIVE UPDATES: Hurricane Milton makes landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, first death confirmed
Hurricane Milton, one of the largest storm systems ever recorded in the US has made landfall on the west coast of Florida.
The “once in a century” storm, has been downgraded from Category Five to Category Three, however, authorities have warned Hurricane Milton has grown bigger in size and now threatens more areas of the Florida coastline.
At its peak, Milton had sustained winds of 250km/h.
The latest update from US officials says sustained wind speed has slowed to 193 km/h, with the risk to life remaining high, especially for the expected 15ft (4.5m) storm surge.
Follow below for the latest on Hurricane Milton.
Flooding and hurricane destruction
Fort Myers is witnessing flood waters slowly rising in the streets.
A video posted to X shows flooding covering stairs and mailboxes.
According to NWS Melbourne, the Daytona Beach Weather Radio Transmitter is off the air.
Where Hurricane Milton is now
Hurricane Milton is causing destruction across Florida.
A tower crane collapsed in downtown St. Petersburg, and the city will shut off its drinking water supply at midnight.
The cut-off is due to a significant water line break and will remain off until necessary repairs are made.
Hurricane-force winds have also reached the state’s east coast.
New York Times photographers capture key moments
There are also some amazing news photographs in this story from the New York Times.
Incredible images
We’re seeing some astonishing photographs coming out of Florida as Hurricane Milton makes its way across the peninsula. One image shows a person walking past a house with a car embedded in its front wall.
‘It’s getting worse’
Journalist Minreet Kaur is in Orlando Florida and says wind and rain are “getting worse”.
I’ve never experienced anything like this,” she wrote.
“I’m scared just hearing the wind and rain.
“The lightning is like another level.”
Internet sensation ‘Lieutenant Dan’ still safe
Joseph Malinowski, known online as ‘Lieutenant Dan’, chose to stay on the Bay in his boat when Hurricane Milton made landfall.
Authorities attempted to convince the locals to move to safety, however, he stayed steadfast in his decision to see the storm out on his boat.
Fox 13 reporter Jordan Bowen was camped out near Mr Malinowski’s boat and shared an update on the viral sensation.
“Lt. Dan is safe on his sailboat,” he said.
“We just spoke with him. He’s been inside for the entirety of the storm.
“Water is starting to be pushed out of Tampa Bay.
“He remains on the boat as the water level continues going down.”
Orlando on alert as 160km/h winds recorded in central Florida
Orlando is on high alert for damaging winds as Hurricane Milton, now a Category Two tropical system approaches the major city.
160km/h winds have been recorded near Orlando International Airport and flash flood warnings have been in place for around an hour.
Milton is travelling northeast through Florida, with its patch coming dangerously close to Orlando.
Over 2 million power outages have been recorded across the west coast of Florida, with Orlando around an hour away from the strongest parts of the storm.
Hurricane Milton pulls crane down in St. Petersburg
A crane has been pulled to the ground, torn down by the ferocious winds of Hurricane Milton.
The crane, located at 400 Central Avenue, had been erected around two years ago and had been working on the city’s tallest building.
As 180km/h winds tore through the area, the crane twisted and plummeted to the ground.
City officials say nearby buildings were evacuated in the hours before the story when they realised the crane could not be taken down in time.
‘Now is not the time to go out’
Pinellas County officials have issued an urgent plea for locals to not venture out now the eye of the storm has passed.
Speaking to Fox 13 Tampa Bay, public officer Ashley issued a clear message.
“Stay where you are.”
“Now is not the time to go out,” she said.
Stay safe. Do not go out into flood waters. Do not go near electrical issues.”
Many locals stayed put during the life-threatening storm in an attempt to protect their property.
While the hurricane-strength winds and torrential rains remain, extreme danger remains for anyone in the area.
Millions are without power as rains and flooding cause devastations
More than 1.3 million homes and businesses in Florida are without power after Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category Three storm, according to data from PowerOutage.us.
In a state already battered by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, as many as two million people were ordered to evacuate, and millions more live in the projected path of the storm.
The utility with the most customers hit was Florida Power & Light Company, which has about 459,989 clients without power, followed by Duke Energy, which has 433,803 clients without power.
- With Reuters
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