In Florida, at least 17 deaths have been attributed to Hurricane Milton a day after the storm officially exited the Sunshine State. However, as Florida digs through the damage, the death toll may be more.
The world has been gripped by images of water rescues, tornado damage, buildings, homes and landmarks destroyed.
Hurricane Milton made landfall about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, near Siesta Key, Florida, in Sarasota County as a Category 3 storm. Hurricane Milton left a path of destruction through Central Florida as it moved diagonally from the central west coast and through the Orlando area before exiting the state through Cape Canaveral in northern Brevard County.
The USA TODAY Network’s Florida photojournalists captured the damage and aftermath caused by Hurricane Milton across multiple cities along its path. In just a matter of hours, Milton brought torrential rains, storm surge, winds exceeding 100 mph and left behind wind-damaged and swamped neighborhood homes, streets and businesses. Cleanup will likely take weeks.
In some cases, Hurricane Milton caused flooding and spawned tropical tornadoes ahead of its landfall. On social media, #Sarasota #FortMyers #Florida #HurricaneMilton were trending topics. USA TODAY Network’s SMS system saw text messages from readers asking how their communities and neighborhoods fared.
Here are the photos and videos that tell the story of Hurricane Milton’s wrath. Check back for additional photo galleries to this Hurricane Milton damage in Florida roundup.
How bad was Hurricane Milton damage in Sarasota, Florida? Houses toppled, boats sunk in Sarasota, Manatee County from Hurricane Milton
Boats in the road, sand and mud everywhere in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, after Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton’s tornadoes tear off roofs, destroy homes in Fort Myers, Florida
Destruction in downtown Vero Beach, Florida, from Hurricane Milton
Melbourne airport roof has 30-foot hole after Hurricane Milton
Aerial footage, drone video of Hurricane Milton damage in Cocoa Beach, Florida, along Brevard County’s beachside
Fort Myers, Florida: See Margaritaville cam timelapse of Hurricane Milton storm surge
Heavy rains, flooding, trees down in Tampa, Florida, from Hurricane Milton
Tropicana Stadium roof destroyed by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Hurricane Milton damage, aerial photos in Tampa, Sarasota, Florida
