In a dramatic video clip captured live by Milton News on its Facebook page, powerful winds and torrential rain from Hurricane Milton are seen bending palm trees almost to the ground. The live broadcast, which has already garnered over 73,000 views, shows the ferocity of the storm as it approaches Florida’s central west coast. The footage offers a real-time glimpse into the chaos as Milton lashes the area with intense force.
As of Wednesday, Hurricane Milton has slightly weakened but remains a powerful Category 3 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The northern eyewall of the hurricane began moving ashore around 7 p.m. ET, with meteorologists expecting landfall between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. if the storm continues at its current speed. The NHC has warned residents in the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas to shelter in place as the “extremely dangerous hurricane-force winds” continue to spread.
Earlier in the day, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Miami reported multiple tornadoes, including a “multi-vortex tornado,” in the southwestern part of the state. Storm surge warnings have been issued across the affected areas, with waves beginning to flood low-lying coastal regions. Tornado warnings have also been issued for several cities, further adding to the potential dangers brought by the hurricane.
“It’s been an incredibly busy few hours here at the NWS Miami operations floor!” the NWS reported, as their teams worked to monitor the unfolding situation.
Hurricane Milton had earlier intensified to a massive Category 5 storm, with winds exceeding 180 mph on Monday. Forecasters at the time described it as a “catastrophic” hurricane. However, as the storm moved closer to land, its sustained wind speeds began to decline. By 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, winds were recorded at 120 mph, still powerful enough to cause significant damage.
The NHC has advised that while some fluctuations in intensity are possible as Milton crosses the eastern Gulf of Mexico, it is expected to remain a dangerous major hurricane by the time it reaches Florida’s west-central coast. Residents are urged to stay updated on advisories and remain indoors until the storm passes.