Hurricane Milton slams into Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm

Hundreds take shelter at Virgil Mills Elementary School ahead of Hurricane Milton, in Palmetto, Florida, United States on October 09, 2024. People spent the night at a school with their pets, sleeping on air mattresses.

Lokman Vural Elibol • 10 October 2024 • update: 10 October 2024

Hurricane Milton approaches Sarasota of Florida

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 9: A boat struggles to stand still as Hurricane Milton bears down on the Gulf Coast in Sarasota, Florida, United States on October 9, 2024. Residents of Sarasota brace for severe weather and potential evacuations. The storm, which has intensified rapidly, is expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding to the area. ( Lokman Vural Elibol - Anadolu Agency )Lokman Vural Elibol

Miami prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Milton

MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 07: A general view of the sandbags to be distributed as part of precautionary measures in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Milton on October 07, 2024, in Miami, Florida, United States. ( Jesus Olarte - Anadolu Agency )Jesus Olarte

Residents flee as Hurricane Milton approaches landfall in Florida

FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 08: An aerial view the heavy traffic along the highway as residents evacuate just hours before Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall in Florida, United States on October 08, 2024. Hurricane Milton, the most powerful storm observed in the past 20 years, is expected to hit Florida on Wednesday evening. ( Lokman Vural Elibol - Anadolu Agency )Lokman Vural Elibol

Residents in St. Petersburg, Florida prepare for Hurricane Milton

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 8: Workers board up a business ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall in St. Petersburg, Florida, US, on October 8, 2024. ( Lokman Vural Elibol - Anadolu Agency )Lokman Vural Elibol

Hundreds take shelter from Hurricane Milton at Virgil Mills Elementary School in Florida

FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 09: Hundreds take shelter at Virgil Mills Elementary School ahead of Hurricane Milton, in Palmetto, Florida, United States on October 09, 2024. People spent the night at a school with their pets, sleeping on air mattresses. ( Lokman Vural Elibol - Anadolu Agency )Lokman Vural Elibol

Hundreds take shelter from Hurricane Milton at Virgil Mills Elementary School in Florida

Hurricane Milton approaches Sarasota of Florida

Orlando Prepares for Hurricane Milton

ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 9: A sign advising of tolls suspended by the governor is seen on State Road 528 ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, on October 9, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Milton is projected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm on Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. ( Paul Hennesy - Anadolu Agency )Paul Hennesy

Orlando Prepares for Hurricane Milton

ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 9: A departure board displays United and American Airlines cancelled flights at Orlando International Airport ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, on October 9, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Milton is projected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm on Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. The airport ceased operations at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday. ( Paul Hennesy - Anadolu Agency )Paul Hennesy