Today’s news / Hurricane Milton strikes Florida as category 3
Storm surge and extensive flooding are expected on the west coast of Florida, after Hurricane Milton made landfall on Thursday night. Photo: Marco Bello/Reuters

Hurricane Milton strikes Florida as category 3

Hurricane Milton, described as ‘extremely dangerous’ by US authorities, made landfall on Florida’s west coast as a category three hurricane. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Milton hit near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, with wind speeds up to 193 kilometers per hour. President Joe Biden warned that the hurricane is expected to be one of the worst to hit Florida in over a century. Storm surges and significant flooding are anticipated. Tampa, north of the landfall location, has been warned of deadly water level rises, with up to 300mm of rain reported. Tampa mayor Jane Castor starkly warned the city’s 400,000 residents of the life-threatening risks of staying in evacuated areas. Hurricane Milton follows Hurricane Helene, which struck the same area weeks prior, resulting in at least 230 fatalities.