Hurricane Milton spawned tornado supercells that are wreaking havoc throughout Florida as the monstrous storm rapidly approaches the Sunshine State.
At least nine tornadoes were confirmed as storm systems capable of generating horrific tornadoes swept across Florida and its southern peninsula ahead of Milton’s official landfall on Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Miami confirmed on X.
A tornado seen on the ground in Broward, Florida near I-75 on Oct. 9, 2024. Florida DOT
Utility poles downed by strong winds in Fort Myers as Milton approaches on Oct. 9, 2024. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo
Waves crashing along St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg on Oct. 9, 2024. Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images
Satellite view shows Hurricane Milton at 3pm EST on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. RAMMB/CIRA
The storm will hold steady at hurricane strength while moving across the Florida peninsula through Thursday and weaken as it moves over the western Atlantic Ocean. National Weather ServiceFollow the latest from The Post on Hurricane Milton:
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As of 6 p.m., the National Weather Service issued 98 tornado warnings in Florida, including 55 by the Miami-based agency.
Florida residents shared the terrifying and destructive twisters to social media, including a large multi-vortex tornado that was moving into Martin County, according to a video posted on X.
Police block off a bridge leading to the barrier island of St. Pete Beach, Fla., ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, in South Pasadena, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. AP
A boat damaged in Hurricane Helene rests against a bridge ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, in South Pasadena, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. APThe NWS in Miami also posted a photo of a funnel crossing Interstate 75 in the Florida Everglades on X Wednesday morning.
“TORNADO crossing I-75 as we speak! Seek shelter NOW!” the caption read.
Milton may have weakened to a Category 3 late Wednesday afternoon, but the historic storm is set to devastate the Gulf Coast and other parts of Florida when it makes landfall sometime between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday.
The dangerous storm was spinning southwest about 60 miles from Sarasota Wednesday night with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph.
“If Milton stays on its course, this will be the most powerful hurricane to hit Tampa Bay in over 100 years,” the NWS warned.
Milton will “remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane” when it makes landfall Wednesday night along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The storm will hold steady at hurricane strength while moving across the Florida peninsula through Thursday and weaken as it moves over the western Atlantic Ocean.
Storm surges up to 15 feet are expected to inundate some parts of the coastline, though the heavily populated Tampa Bay area may see up to 12 feet as the storm’s path has shifted slightly south.
Areas from Anna Maria Island to Boca Grande may see up to 15 feet of surge, according to the center.
“The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the south of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” the center said.
