RECAP: 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.
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
Downtown Fort Myers ‘underwater’
Corenia Ellswick captured a video of the worsening flooding in downtown Fort Myers.
The area has been one of the hardest hit by ferocious winds and torrential rains after Hurricane Milton made landfall in nearby Sarasota.
The flooding from rain, mixed with the life-threatening storm surge is expected to peak at around 6pm AEDT (3pm AWST), reaching levels of 9ft - 12ft (2.7m - 3.6m).
Anderson Cooper hit by flying debris from Hurricane Milton
Anderson Cooper, one of the most high profile journalists in the US, has been covering the “once in a century” storm from Bradenton, Florida, around 20km north of where Hurricane Milton made landfall.
Reporting from a pier and battling extreme rain and winds, Cooper was commenting on the wild weather when he was hit in the face by a piece of flying debris
“Woah! That wasn’t good,” Cooper said as he recovered his composure.
“We’ll probably go inside shortly,” he said before continuing his coverage.
Stadium roof ripped off in St, Petersburg
Tropicana Field, a multi-purpose stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida had had its roof ripped off by Hurricane Milton.
The stadium is currently being used by thousands of emergency responders, transformed into a base camp for the Hurricane Milton response.
It is understood that emergency services were inside when the roof was ripped off. No injuries have been reported at Tropicana Field.
Venice inundated with aggressive storm surge
An aggressive storm surge has begun to inundate the Venice area in Florida.
Venice, located around 80km south of Siesta Bay where Hurricane Milton made landfall, is expected to endure a 9ft - 12ft (2.7m - 3.6m) surge.
Footage is starting to emerge of water flooding the area.
Extreme meteorologist and storm chaser Reed Timmer shared a video walking through the dangerous waters.
Authorities have warned people not to enter the storm surge waters due to the risk of chemicals, unknown depths, alligators and other animals. as well as extreme rips.
St Lucie County report the first deaths from Hurricane Milton
St Lucie County, located on Florida’s east coast north of Palm Beach, has been on alert for tornados for the last few hours.
Almost 80 tornado warnings were issued within a two-hour window as Hurricane Milton approached.
“It’s devastating. No words can describe it,” Sheriff Keith Pearson told WPBF-TV.
“We had multiple tornadoes touch down in this community.”
The Sheriff said more than one death had now been recorded.
“With a tornado, you don’t know that. It’s almost like having a bomb dropped at any place and any time,” he said.
“If you’re home, stay at home. Don’t make us come out here for you.”
