Multiple tornadoes have torn through Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, destroying homes and leaving people without shelter only hours before the storm hits.
Milton is classified as a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. The storm’s strength has fluctuated between Category 4 and Category 5 over the past few days, but meteorologists previously predicted the storm would weaken before making landfall in the Tampa area on Wednesday night.
National Weather Service (NWS) offices across Florida issued dozens of tornado warnings on Wednesday afternoon as Milton barreled toward the state. Photos and videos shared across social media showed foreboding tornadoes cutting across highways and the remnants of homes after the vicious storms tore through the area.
“Tornado damage here in Fort Myers ahead of Hurricane #Milton making landfall,” national weather reporter Ali Reid posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Roofs completely blown off homes. People now seeking alternate shelter. Orangewood Avenue. Downed trees, power lines, fences. Power is out. Thankfully, no reported injuries.”
Several tornado warnings remain in place as of 5:41 p.m. Eastern time, but NWS meteorologist Paul Close told Newsweek that the majority of the storms capable of producing tornadoes are now on Florida’s east coast and starting to move out to the Atlantic.
“It looks like the worst of it has passed,” he said. “There might be another one or two as the storm moves onshore.”
The storms come as officials have urged people to heed evacuation warnings and as public shelters have opened up across the state.
“If the driving rain and wind isn’t enough to convince you to remain sheltered in place, there is also the very real threat of tornadoes, even in the outer bands of #Milton,” the NWS posted on X about the tornadoes. “These tornadoes spin up quickly and move even more so – making staying in a safe place the best possible option.”
Most tornadoes spawned by a hurricane occur in the front right quadrant of the storm, the NWS said.
“This area typically has the best wind shear and instability,” the website said. “Usually, tornadoes produced by tropical cyclones are relatively weak and short-lived, but they still pose a significant threat.”
Typically, tornadoes occur in the outer rainbands of a hurricane, but they also can occur near the storm’s eyewall.
On Wednesday afternoon, tornadoes are only one of many threats facing South Florida. The NHC has issued repeated warnings about Hurricane Milton’s deadly potential, including life-threatening storm surge surpassing 15 feet in some of the hardest hit areas, as well as heavy rain and devastating winds.
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