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Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc across Florida this week, generating deadly tornadoes and leaving a trail of destruction. St. Lucie County, particularly hard-hit, saw at least five deaths after two confirmed tornadoes tore through the area on Wednesday. According to WPTV, the twisters touched down around 4:30 p.m., just as the storm’s outer bands reached the state. The devastation occurred as Milton, a Category 3 storm upon landfall, closed in on Florida’s coast.
- Five fatalities were confirmed in St. Lucie County after two tornadoes, spawned by Hurricane Milton, struck the area on October 9, 2024.
- Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce was among the hardest-hit areas, with multiple deaths and significant damage to homes.
- St. Lucie County officials reported up to 12 tornadoes touched down in the region, leaving a trail of destruction across several communities.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and emergency management officials are overseeing recovery efforts, with warnings for residents to stay indoors.
- Widespread damage and power outages across Florida are a result of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a Category 3 storm, adding to the devastation caused by the tornadoes.
Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed multiple fatalities at the Spanish Lakes Country Club, a senior community near Fort Pierce, where the tornadoes inflicted severe damage. The community is one of seven locations in St. Lucie County suffering significant damage, according to county spokesperson Erick Gill. Other impacted areas include Portofino Shores, Holiday Pines, and Lakewood Park. Officials have urged residents to remain off the roads to avoid hindering recovery efforts, emphasizing that the situation remains dangerous.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged the destruction in a press conference on Thursday. He was joined by officials from the Florida Division of Emergency Management and FEMA, who are coordinating relief and recovery efforts across the state.
As the storm passed, local authorities estimated that between six and twelve tornadoes may have struck St. Lucie County alone, as WPTV reported. This staggering number highlights the sheer intensity of the weather event. First responders have been actively involved in rescue operations since the storm’s onset, with recovery efforts continuing throughout the county.
While the tornadoes were the deadliest immediate threat, Hurricane Milton itself brought torrential rains and fierce winds to Florida. WESH Orlando reported that Milton made landfall near Siesta Key with winds reaching 120 mph, which caused widespread destruction across the state. The winds were strong enough to tear the roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg and knock down cranes in multiple locations.
The National Hurricane Center downgraded Milton to a post-tropical cyclone by Thursday afternoon, as it continued its path into the Atlantic. However, the storm’s impact was severe. Insider.com noted that over 3.3 million homes and businesses across Florida were left without power in the storm’s wake.
As Florida deals with the aftermath of this powerful storm, residents are advised to exercise caution and follow updates from local officials. Emergency teams remain on high alert as they work to restore power, clear debris, and assist those affected by the tornadoes and hurricane.
Hurricane Milton Brings Tornadoes and Widespread Destruction to Florida
Hurricane Milton, one of the most powerful storms of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, wreaked havoc across Florida, leaving a devastating trail of destruction in its wake. After forming in early October, the storm intensified rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico, ultimately making landfall near Siesta Key as a Category 3 hurricane on October 9, 2024. According to the Digital News Report Research Team, Milton was originally a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph, making it one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Gulf.
- Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm after briefly reaching Category 5 intensity, with winds of 180 mph, one of the strongest hurricanes in 2024.
- The storm spawned over 50 tornadoes in Florida, setting a record with 133 tornado warnings issued statewide, devastating communities like St. Lucie County.
- 11 people were killed, including 10 in the U.S. and 1 in Mexico, while more than 3 million homes and businesses were left without power.
- Florida saw widespread destruction, including sinkholes, severe wind damage, and the collapse of U.S. Route 17/92, along with structural damage to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
- Emergency teams conducted 48 rescues, and state and federal officials are coordinating recovery efforts as Florida begins to rebuild from this catastrophic event.
Milton’s impact was particularly devastating due to the large tornado outbreak it triggered. On October 9 alone, 19 confirmed tornadoes touched down in Florida, and after the storm made landfall, another 38 tornadoes were reported. The National Weather Service set a new record by issuing 133 tornado warnings statewide, the second-highest in a single day in U.S. history. St. Lucie County was hit hardest by the tornadoes, which caused five fatalities and damaged dozens of homes. A massive tornado tore through the Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce, destroying homes and killing multiple residents.
Before landfall, Florida declared a state of emergency and initiated evacuations, especially in coastal areas at high risk. The storm also affected Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, where initial preparations were made to mitigate the damage. Despite these efforts, the combined forces of tornadoes, flooding, and high winds left at least 11 people dead—10 in the United States and one in Mexico.
As reported by WESH Orlando, Milton’s winds reached 120 mph as it approached the Florida coast, strong enough to tear the roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg and cause a crane to collapse. The destruction extended across the state, with over 3 million homes and businesses losing power. Hillsborough County experienced severe damage, including the collapse of U.S. Route 17/92 due to a sinkhole. Key West also saw a dramatic decline in commercial activity after the Port of Key West was forced to close.
The hurricane’s effects were felt well beyond landfall. In Sarasota, gusts reached 107 mph, while West Palm Beach recorded gusts of 92 mph. Daytona Beach, Marineland, and Wellington also faced significant damage from wind gusts and flooding, with reports of injuries and rescues in several communities.
In addition to the immediate destruction, Milton’s impact on Florida’s infrastructure has been severe. Over 125 homes were destroyed, and widespread power outages hampered rescue efforts. Emergency responders saved at least 48 people, but the state now faces a long road to recovery. The Florida Division of Emergency Management and FEMA are working to coordinate relief efforts, while residents begin the process of rebuilding their lives after this historic storm.
- Digital News Report Research Team: “Hurricane Milton was an extremely powerful Atlantic hurricane”
- WPTV West Palm Beach: “At least 5 killed in St. Lucie County after tornado outbreak”
- WESH Orlando: “Milton moves off Florida’s coast after lashing state with torrential downpours, deadly tornadoes”
- Insider.com: “Hurricane Milton leaves a trail of destruction in Florida”