Hurricane Milton Makes Florida Landfall And Residents Told To ID Their Bodies!
Hurricane Milton has made landfall in Florida, bringing extreme winds and storm surges. They are already devastating parts of the state. The storm hit Sarasota first around 8.30 pm, with nearby areas like Venice, Bradenton, and Tampa Bay also feeling the impact. Streets are flooding, winds are howling strong, and the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous for those in the storm’s path. Some residents who struggled to evacuate are left behind with a heartbreaking warning. Florida Attorney General and Holmes beach police Chief requested the remaining residents to make their names on their bodies with permanent ink.
Millions of people are facing a power outage and are in risk of flash/river flooding. Several were confirmed dead in St. Lucie County on Florida’s Atlantic coast as the tornadoes hit the region. Let’s have a closer look at its recent updates.
Current Update of The Landfall
As of now, Hurricane Milton continues to move inland, leaving a trail of destruction behind. The hurricane’s path through Tampa Bay, Venice, and other coastal areas has been catastrophic. The winds and rain have already caused widespread power outages and flooding, and the storm is far from over.
@cnn On Wednesday, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida as a dangerous Category 3 storm before weakening to a Category 2. Videos show tornadoes sweeping through land and rapidly rising waters. #cnn #news #milton ♬ original sound – CNN
Around 5 a.m. this morning, the storm’s center, or the eye was around 10 miles northeast of Cape Canaveral. It slowly made its way toward the Atlantic, at a wind speed of 85 mph. It weakened to the speed of a Category 1 hurricane.
According to NBC, approximately 11 million people are currently at risk of flash and river flooding. Most of the damage is also from the record number of tornadoes yesterday. Around 3.3 million energy customers in central Florida went without electricity in Florida around 7 a.m.
Strong Winds and Storm Surges in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay and surrounding cities are already feeling the effects of the storm. The powerful winds, reaching over 100 miles per hour, are pushing vehicles and sweeping debris down the streets. CNN’s Boris Sanchez, reporting from Tampa, described the dangerous conditions. He noted trees creaking and flashes of blue and green from transformers blowing. Water levels have risen significantly in some areas, like near Bradenton. The water has approximately reached the axles of vehicles.
Venice, which is just 18 miles from where Milton made landfall in Sarasota, is seeing streets flooded. The storm surge pushes water from the Gulf of Mexico onto the land. Meteorologist Chad Myers pointed out that Venice has only had around two inches of rain. But the hurricane’s winds have forced the sea inland, causing severe flooding.
@cnn Imagery of a NOAA satellite provides a view of Hurricane Milton from space as it churns closer to Florida. Frequent flashes of lighting are also visible in the video. #CNN #News #Hurricane #HurricaneMilton #Milton #NOAA ♬ original sound – CNN
Varying Water Levels in Tampa Bay
The water levels in Tampa Bay are fluctuating wildly due to Hurricane Milton. In the northern part of the bay, water gets pushed offshore, with levels nearly 5 feet below normal. On the other hand, in the southern areas, like Port Manatee, the storm surge has caused water levels to rise by more than 2 feet in just 90 minutes. These significant changes are due to the changes in the direction of the wind as the hurricane moves inland.
@cnn CNN’s Anderson Cooper reports from Brandenton, Florida, after Hurricane Milton made landfall. #CNN #News #hurricanemilton ♬ original sound – CNN
Residents Mark Their Names On The Bodies
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a warning to those who refuse to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton. She advised residents to write their names on their arms using permanent markers for easier identification in case they do not survive the storm.
“You probably need to write your name in permanent marker on your arm so that people know who you are when they get to you afterwards.”
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody
Holmes Beach Police Chief William Tokajer gave a similar warning, telling residents who choose to stay that they are on their own.
“Take a pen and write your name and social security number on your leg so that we have a contact if we find you.”
Holmes Beach Police Chief William Tokajer
Why Some Residents Chose To Stay?
Many residents choose to stay behind despite the storm alert for different reasons. Some fear that if they leave, their homes will be looted. Others don’t believe the storm will be as bad as predicted. Some people simply have no place to go, can’t afford to leave, or are unwilling to leave their pets behind. Similar warnings have been given during past storms. However, many people still choose to stay, hoping to ride it out.
However, staying behind comes with serious risks. Those who refuse to evacuate face the possibility of drowning, losing power, and being stranded without help. Emergency services are often suspended in life-threatening conditions. Many residents will have to fend for themselves.
The Eye of the Storm: Unpredictable and Dangerous
Hurricane Milton is not like many other storms. It has more than one eye wall, which makes it especially dangerous. According to CNN meteorologist Chad Myers, this means that even after the main eye of the storm has moved away, the outer bands of the storm will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain for hours. This makes conditions unpredictable, and people in the Tampa Bay area and beyond need to remain on high alert.
Conclusion
Hurricane Milton has already caused catastrophic damage in Florida, and it’s not over yet. The storm has brought dangerous winds, storm surges, and flooding to many parts of the state. Residents who refuse to evacuate mark their bodies for identification, highlighting just how severe the situation has become. As the storm continues to move inland, the threat remains high, and people are being warned to stay safe and heed evacuation orders.
Also read,
