The US National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Milton made landfall late Wednesday night in the state of Florida. It hit the coast classified as a Category 3 hurricane but weakened to a Category 1 as it traveled overland and into the Atlantic Ocean.
The storm spun off tornadoes and flooded neighborhoods. Officials say 10 people were killed.
The winds left a trail of damage to homes and businesses and tore the roof off a Major League Baseball stadium. Rescue crews scrambled to respond less than two weeks after another hurricane, Helene, struck the southeastern US.
Residents have been urged to stay inside. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas joined online a White House press briefing on Thursday. He said: “Milton may have passed, but the danger it poses has not. Downed power lines, floodwaters, non-potable drinking water and debris are creating deadly conditions.”
The storm left more than 3 million people without electricity, and many will have quite some time to wait before power is restored.