News Summary

Hurricane Milton has made a devastating landfall in Florida, causing unprecedented tornado outbreaks, record rainfall, and widespread damage. With over 126 tornado warnings issued and severe rainfall causing significant flooding, the impacts have reached historic levels. Areas like St. Petersburg recorded 18.87 inches of rain while Tampa experienced extreme wind gusts, resulting in structural damage and widespread power outages. As authorities assess the devastation, the influence of climate change on such severe weather events is a growing concern among experts.

Fort Lauderdale Faces Historic Impact from Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday, July 11, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET near Siesta Key, hitting Florida as a strong Category 3 hurricane. The storm rapidly intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane within about 24 hours, unleashing unexpected and severe weather across the state.

The hurricane triggered a severe outbreak of tornadoes, resulting in at least four fatalities in St. Lucie County. In total, the National Weather Service issued 126 tornado warnings on the day of landfall, with up to 48 tornadoes confirmed on the ground. Some tornadoes traveled over five miles, significantly longer than the average distance of 3.5 miles that most tornadoes traverse.

Experts have warned that this tornado outbreak may become one of the worst in Florida’s history, surpassing the previous record of 22 tornadoes occurring on a single day. The unique interactions between Milton’s outer bands and strong winds aloft contributed to the extensive tornado development observed. The severity of this event has raised concerns among meteorologists regarding the influence of climate change on weather patterns in the region.

Record-Breaking Rainfall and Flooding

In addition to the tornado outbreak, Hurricane Milton caused unprecedented rainfall in various parts of Florida. St. Petersburg set a record with 18.87 inches of rain, marking a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event. In just three hours, the city received 9 inches, and in one hour alone, it recorded 5.09 inches, leading to substantial flooding across the area.

Tampa also recorded 11.23 inches of rain, the highest October total on record for the city. Floodwaters rose rapidly, necessitating numerous rescues and evacuation efforts, including the evacuation of a hospital in St. Petersburg. The heavy rainfall extended in a band stretching from Tampa through Orlando to Daytona Beach, with Clearwater Beach experiencing up to 14.01 inches.

Wind Damage and Power Outages

The storm produced wind gusts of at least 80 mph across much of Florida, with extreme gusts exceeding 100 mph near Tampa and Sarasota. This unusual wind pattern, which concentrated the strongest winds on the west and northwest sides of the hurricane instead of the east—a typical distribution—resulted in severe structural damage. Notably, the roof of Tropicana Field was ripped off during the storm.

Moreover, over 3 million customers experienced power outages due to the extensive damage caused by the hurricane’s winds and rainfall. Residents have been urged to prepare for additional severe weather conditions expected over the weekend, which may include long-track tornadoes and damaging winds.

Storm Surge and Marine Effects

Interestingly, Hurricane Milton caused a “reverse surge” effect in Tampa Bay, with water levels dropping below normal due to offshore winds. Conversely, areas like Sarasota and Venice experienced surge levels rising between 8 to 10 feet, while Fort Myers registered 5.25 feet, marking the second-highest level since Hurricane Ian.

Looking Ahead

In light of the severe weather conditions induced by Hurricane Milton, meteorological experts have linked the intensity of rainfall and tornado formation to marine heat waves and human-caused climate change. As Florida grapples with the immediate impacts of this historic storm, authorities are focusing on rescue operations, damage assessments, and preparations for potential ongoing severe weather.

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Additional Resources

• Washington Post: Hurricane Milton Takeaways
• NBC News: Hurricane Milton Rain Event
• Tallahassee: Florida Weather Forecast
• Wikipedia: Hurricane Milton
• Fox Weather: Tracking Hurricane Milton
• Google Search: Hurricane Milton

Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER

The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.