Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida (2025)

Damage to a home after a tornado ripped through The Preserve development on Oct. 10, 2024 in Wellington, Fla.

A house with significant damage from a suspected tornado after Hurricane Milton on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Rocky Point.

Tim Bloom tries to get his sump pump to work while trying to drain the rain from his front yard in Ocala, Fla. Thursday morning Oct. 10, 2024 after Hurricane Milton made land fall Wednesday night around Siesta Key near Tampa Bay. "It always floods in the yard" Bloom said but it did not get into the house. Debris was everywhere and trees were down taking power out at a lot of locations around the county.

A motorist makes their way by a fallen tree in Ocala, Fla. Thursday morning October 10, 2024. There was damage all throughout Marion County Thursday after Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night around Siesta Key near Tampa Bay.

First-responders work to remove a tree early Thursday from a road in South Daytona in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.

First-responders carry away a person around 5:30 a.m. Thursday in South Daytona as Hurricane Milton moves through the county.

Debris in downtown Vero Beach, Florida as Hurricane Milton makes landfall on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.

A Sunshine Furniture box truck is seen on its side in the parking lot of the 12th Street Plaza near Sunshine Furniture in Vero Beach, Florida as Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.

Flooding is seen on 43rd Avenue looking south near the Gifford Youth Achievement Center ahead of Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Gifford, Florida.

An apparent garage located behind a home off 15th Avenue and 23rd Street in downtown Vero Beach, Florida experienced significant damage as Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.

The runway at Vero Beach Regional Airport is flooded in Vero Beach, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.

A brilliant sky after Hurricane Milton passes by Fort Myers, Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.

First street in downtown Fort Myers, Florida, started to flood as Hurricane Milton passes by on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.

First street in downtown Fort Myers, Florida started to flood as Hurricane Milton passes by on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.

Water started to run over seawalls in Marco Island, Florida, round 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, as Hurricane Milton continued to barrel toward the peninsula and outerbands affected Southwest Florida.

A person takes advantage of a break in a rain band caused by Hurricane Milton as he kayaks down a neighborhood street that was flooded on Oct. 9, 2024, in Indian River County, Florida.

A pair of decorative deer wear life jackets as protection against the heavy rain in front of Rehab Vintage Furniture in Melbourne, Florida, on Oct. 9, 2024 as hurricane Milton approaches.

Heavy wind blows through the trees off the 5th Av. Boardwalk in Indialantic, Florida, on Oct. 9, 2024 as hurricane Milton approaches.

Electric utility trucks at the mega 104-pump Buc-ee's gas station/travel convenience center in Daytona Beach next to Interstate 95 Exit 265 the morning of Hurricane Milton's anticipated arrival on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. As of midday Wednesday, forecasts are showing the hurricane could make landfall on Florida's west coast between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday. Milton is expected to cross Central Florida which could cause heavy rains, flooding and power outages in the Daytona.Beach/Volusia-Flagler area.

Florida residents flee on U.S. 1 in Titusville on Oct. 9, 2024, as Hurricane Milton approaches the state. Recent rains have already saturated the ground.

Daisy, a 6-month-old mixed-breed dog facing her first hurricane, rests in the arms of Mary Camby on Wednesday morning outside the Hurricane Milton shelter at Walter Butler Community Center in Sharpes.

Sarasota Police closed access to St. Armands Key, Lido Key and Longboat Key at the Ringling Bridge in Sarasota Tuesday evening. Residents are still allowed to leave Wednesday morning, but no one is getting out to the barrier islands as Hurricane Milton approaches.

For Jane Schultz, 88, and Sarah Beaulieu, 73, and Betty Lou, this was the second time they'd come to Virgil Mills Elementary School to take shelter against a storm. Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall early Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. Manatee County preparing for the worst of it.

Hurricane Milton on satellite in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday morning, Oct. 9, 2024.

Paula Roemer, Lake Park, pulls sandbags and taped tarpaulin from the front door of her antiques store on Dixie Highway as preparations for Hurricane Milton are underway in Palm Beach County, Fla., on October 9, 2024. Roemer decided to let customers pick up some purchased furniture after she had paid workers to install the sandbags at the store, she said.

Traffic on northbound I-75 through Sarasota was heavy Monday afternoon as Florida residents prepare for the expected arrival of Hurricane Milton.

Bake’n Babes bakery owner Julie Curry, 40, checks the placement of a remote camera monitoring her Tampa-area store on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2024, in advance of Hurricane Milton. A crew of workers hustled to reopen the bakery following significant damage from Hurricane Helene last month, and Curry was open for one day before having to close again for Milton.

Cars parked at top a bridge to stay out of flood waters near Goodland, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024 ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall in Florida.

A crab fisherman checks straps on the dock in Everglades City, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024 ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall in Florida.

Sandbags line doorways of businesses on Fort Myers Beach as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida onWednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. The town is empty as most residents have evacuated. Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect.

Flooding from Savannas Preserve State Park flows under Jensen Beach Boulevard into Warner Creek ahead of Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Jensen Beach. Milton is expected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm about 2 a.m. Thursday on Florida's west coast before it travels northeast across the state and exits on Florida's east coast.

Mike Diapoules, of Palm City, loads his propane tank into his truck after gettting it filled at Stuart Sod ahead of Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Martin County. Milton is expected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm about 2 a.m. Thursday on Florida's west coast before it travels northeast across the state and exits on Florida's east coast.

A boat owner makes his last trip from his boat Wednesday morning, carrying his cat and a cat carrier at Cocoa Village Marina. People across the Space Coast are bracing for the impact of Hurricane Milton.

Jose Vasquez and Rexon Mancia of New Ideas Handyman fill sandbags at Bonita Beach as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida on Oct. 9, 2024.

Michael and Maria Clark arrive at the hurricane shelter in Melbourne’s Wickham Park Wednesday, October 9, 2024. There were roughly 30 people waiting when the doors opened at 9am. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

A line forms to get in the hurricane shelter in Melbourne’s Wickham Park Wednesday, October 9, 2024. There were roughly 30 people waiting when the doors opened at 9am. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

Mia Gallow, a Bonita Springs resident fills sandbags at Bonita Beach as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.

Rich Belliveau, of Stuart, loads a generator into his vehicle after purchasing it from Home Depot on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, at 3030 S.E. Federal Highway in Stuart. Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm about 2 a.m. Thursday on Florida's west coast before it travels northeast across the state and exits on Florida's east coast.

People set up an AquaFence barrier at Tampa General Hospital, as Hurricane Milton approaches, in Tampa, Oct. 9, 2024.

People arrive to shelter buffalo creek middle school ahead of Hurricane Milton expected landfall in Bradenton, Fla. on Oct. 9, 2024.

As Tampa prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Milton members of the National Guard put up a flood barrier around a waste water facility on Oct. 09, 2024 in Tampa.

Fort Myers Beach sunrise on Oct. 9, 2024 ahead of Hurricane Milton

Vicki-Jo Lucky, owner of VJL Gallery on Beach Street, and Tony Figueroa, with Tony's Tile and More, board up the gallery with some artwork on the hurricane shutters, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, as Daytona Beach gets ready for the arrival of Hurricane Milton.

Waves crash into rocks in front of the House of Refuge Museum on south Hutchinson Island in Martin County as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida.

A Holly Hill resident wipes the sweat off his brow while bagging up sand bags at the city's public utilities department lot on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 amid forecasts that Hurricane Milton could hit the area later this week.

Gas pumps at a 7-11 in Cocoa, FL are wrapped up as the station awaits a shipment of fuel prior to the arrival of Hurricane Milton Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

A plane seen against a stormy backdrop in Orlando, Florida, where residents are awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Milton.

Troy LaRue texts a friend while leaning on a wall near a sign pleading for mercy from Hurricane Millton at The Gator Club in downtown Sarasota on Monday, Oct. 8, 2024. The restaurant LaRue planned on meeting at was closed due to the coming storm, so they had to figure out another place to meet.

People line up to get into the evacuation shelter at Booker High School Tuesday morning in Sarasota in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Milton.

Chefs and staff prepare ready-to-go meals and grocery items at Seed to Table in Naples as Hurricane Milton approaches the state on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.

Employees at Zeno's Boardwalk Sweet Shop board windows in preparation for Hurricane Milton, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.

Sarah Elliott (right), of Knoxville, Tennessee, watches as the tide rises at Conn Beach, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Vero Beach, ahead of Hurricane Milton. Elliott, along with her boyfriend Athanasios Bayiates and his brother Jay Bowen (left), of Fair Haven, Vermont, are in town visiting family.

The Princess Fishing Fleet was boarding up their office at the port. Both of their charer boats, the Canaveral Princess and the Orlando Princess were pulled ouf the water and stored at Scorpion Marine.. Tuesday found Brevard preparing for a major hurricane Wednesday night through Thursday.

Employees of Citrus, an oceanfront restaurant in Vero Beach, place temporary shutters on the restaurant ahead of Hurricane Milton, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.

A mandatory evacuation sign sits at the base of the Fort Myers Beach bridge on Fort Myers Beach in anticipation of Hurricane Milton on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel were under mandatory evacuation orders.

Employees at the Mardi Gras Fun Center on the Daytona Beach Boardwalk secure the hurricane shutters, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, ahead of Hurricane Milton's arrival.

Employees at Bliss Beach Coffee on South Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores prepare for Hurricane Milton, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.

Dozens of people fill up sandbags at Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park in Naples as Hurricane Milton approaches the state on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.

Traffic on northbound I-75 through Sarasota was heavy Monday afternoon as Florida residents prepare for the expected arrival of Hurricane Milton.

Cape Coral residents were busy Monday, October 7, 2024, as they made arrangements and gathered supplies in preparation for the potential impact of Hurricane Milton later this week.

Cape Coral residents were busy Monday, October 7, 2024, as they made arrangements and gathered supplies in preparation for the potential impact of Hurricane Milton later this week.

From left, Ernesto Mendoza assists his neighbor Ken Lovejoy install storm shutters. Cape Coral residents were busy Monday, October 7, 2024, as they made arrangements and gathered supplies in preparation for the potential impact of Hurricane Milton later this week.

The home of the Tampa Bay Rays is now set up to be a 10,000 person "base camp" for operations and first responders as the area braces for Milton.

Courtney Pournaras and her stepfather, Allan Hahn, are pictured filling sandbags in anticipation of Hurricane Milton.

Employees with Home Depot on Cattlemen Rd. in Sarasota, load sheets of plywood a cart for customers Monday afternooon as residents prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Milton.

Employees of The Beach Club board up the front of the club on Ocean Blvd. on Siesta Key in Sarasota on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Hurricane Milton is projected to make landfall in an area still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

A utility truck passes an evacuation route sign on A1A in Daytona Beach on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Volusia and Flagler residents were seen making last minute preparations before Hurricane Milton makes landfall.

John Gaddes of Palm Coast fills up gas cans at RaceTrac at State Road 100 and Old Kings Road on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 as the area prepares for impacts from Hurricane Milton.

A home on Avenida Del Mayo is boarded up in preparation for Hurricane Milton on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, but the owners, like many others on Siesta Key, are still dealing with piles of debris from Hurricane Helene.

Eli Perez, 2, of Stuart, helps his mother fill a bag with sand at the Sailfish Ball Park distribution site Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in Stuart. Hurricane Milton has been forecast to be a Category 3 storm with Wednesday landfall likely somewhere near Sarasota with a north-northeastward path crossing the state south of Orlando and north of Melbourne, a National Weather Service meteorologist said.

Storm debris from Hurricane Helene lines Canal Rd. on Siesta Key on Monday morning. Many residents are concerned about storm debris that has not been picked up yet becoming projectiles if Hurricane Milton makes landfall near Sarasota as predicted.

FPL crews work on a powewr line along A1A south of Granada Blvd., Monday Oct. 7, 2024 as Hurricane Milton moves closer.

A shopper stocks up on water heads for her car at Bellair Plaza., Monday October 7, 2024 as Hurricane Milton moves closer.

JW Marriott in Marco Island, Florida, used the sand on its beach on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 to create sandbags to protect the property from Hurricane Milton. The JW Marriott sits on the Gulf of Mexico and has several restaurants on the beach. Marco Island was under a voluntary evacuation.

Business on Ocean Blvd. in Siesta Village, on Siesta Key, Sarasota, board up windows and doors in preparation for Hurricane Milton on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. The area is still cleaning up from Hurricane Helene which caused flooding on the barrier island.

Camilo Fonseco, an employee at The Hub Baja Grill in Siesta Village on Siesta Key, Sarasota, secures stacked picnic tables with wire in anticipation of Hurricane Milton making landfall in the area on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Residents and business owners on Siesta Key are still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

Employees of Song of the Sea on Sanibel Island fill sand bags in preparation of Hurricane Milton approaches on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.

Empty shelves at the Walmart on Cattlemen Road in Sarasota on Monday morning, Oct. 7, 2024 as residents stock up on water and supplies in anticipation of Hurricane Milton.

The Marathon gas station on Bee Ridge Road near Cattlemen Road in Sarasota was out of gas Monday morning, Oct. 7, 2024, as people prepare for Hurricane Milton.

Local residents form a long line in the rain before the opening of a shopping warehouse ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected mid-week landfall in Kissimmee, Fla. on Oct. 7, 2024. Florida's governor has declared a state of emergency on Saturday as forecasters warned that Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall later this week.

A resident boards up his windows in Palm Harbor, Florida, ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected mid-week landfall on Oct. 6, 2024. Another potentially devastating storm barreled toward the Florida coast on October 6, as the head of the US disaster relief agency lashed out at a "dangerous" misinformation war being waged over the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Customers check mostly empty bread shelves at a shopping warehouse in Kissimmee, Florida on Oct. 6, 2024. Florida residents scrambled to get last minute supplies after the governor declared a state of emergency as forecasters warned the state, still reeling from deadly Hurricane Helene, could be slammed by another major storm. Hurricane Milton has strengthened significantly as it churns towards the coast of Florida, and is expected to make landfall by midweek.

A Park Ranger directs traffic as Pinellas County residents arrive to fill sandbags at John Chestnut Park in Palm Harbor, Florida on Oct. 6, 2024. Florida's governor has declared a state of emergency on Saturday as forecasters warned that Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall later this week.

Rebecca Canaday and her husband, Michael Jerrells fill thier vehicle with supplies from Costco in Fort Myers in preparation of Milton on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.

Residents fill sandbags on Fort Myers Beach in preparation of Milton on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.

Residents in Lee County prepare for Milton on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. Tropical Storm Milton is expected to reach hurricane status as it approaches the west coast of Florida.

A motorist fills up gas cans after refueling his vehicle at the members-only BJ's Wholesale Club gas station in Port Orange on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, ahead of Hurricane Milton's arrival expected later in the week.

A shopper reaches for some of the few remaining bottles of water at the Publix Super Market at Westport Square on Taylor Road in Port Orange on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, because of people stocking up ahead of Hurricane Milton's arrival later in the week.

A woman carries packs of toilet paper and paper towels as she heads towards the checkout lanes at the Publix Super Market at Westport Square on Taylor Road in Port Orange on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, amid forecasts that Hurricane Milton will sweep through the area mid-week.

Radar image of Hurricane Milton as of 5 p.m., Oct. 6, 2024.