Hurricane Milton is one of the most powerful storms of 2024, made landfall on Florida’s west- central coast on October 9th as a category 3 hurricane. Initially Milton was a category 5 storm over the Gulf of Mexico, packing winds up to 155 mph. It weakened slightly before striking near Tampa, Bringing heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and life threatening storm surges.

Hurricane Milton formed early October in the Gulf of Mexico, it rapidly started to get intense due to warm ocean temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions. It was a category 5 storm before hitting Florida once it came to Florida it became a category 3 storm.

Although Milton weakened upon reaching the Atlantic, it still posed a threat to U.S East Coast and parts of the Caribbean as a category 1 storm. Emergency teams continue to work on assessing long-term recovery needs, including rebuilding homes and restoring power.

Hurricane Milton left a significant mark on Florida and the surrounding regions in 2024, both physical damage and human loss. The storm’s rapid intensification and sheer power underscored the dangers of Atlantic hurricanes. With ongoing recovery efforts, communities in Florida are looking toward rebuilding and preparing for future storms that may follow in Milton’s destructive paths.