Darkness fell as the storm hit Florida’s Gulf Coast, bringing deadly tornadoes and heavy flooding. Millions lost power, and many communities were left in ruins.
Hurricane Milton, a strong Category 3 storm, made landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, Florida, on October 9, around 8:30 in the evening.
With winds over 120 miles per hour and heavy rain, the hurricane caused major damage. More than 1.1 million homes and businesses lost power, especially in Sarasota, Manatee, and Hardee counties.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) posted on Facebook, urging people to stay inside and remain alert.
As the hurricane approached, tornadoes tore through St. Lucie County, causing severe damage and deaths. Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed “multiple fatalities” in a senior community near Fort Pierce.
The exact number of deaths is still unknown as rescue teams search for survivors. “They are listening for life,” Pearson said, describing efforts to find people in the wreckage.
St. Lucie County has suffered massive destruction. County spokesman Erick Gill said, “Dozens of homes have been damaged, some with catastrophic damage.”
Statewide, about 125 homes were destroyed, mostly in senior mobile home communities, according to FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie. Emergency workers are working nonstop to help those affected.
Governor Ron DeSantis said the storm caused 116 tornado warnings across the state, with 19 tornadoes confirmed. The damage from Hurricane Milton is widespread.
In St. Petersburg, a rare rainfall event occurred, with over nine inches of rain in just three hours. This was more rain than the city usually gets in three months.
An advisory on October 10 from the National Weather Service warned of flash floods in parts of west-central Florida. Strong winds also continued to hit the east coast.
By 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time, St. Petersburg had winds of 48 mph, with gusts up to 79 mph. Orlando recorded winds of 46 mph, with gusts of 74 mph, and Cape Canaveral had winds of 52 mph, with gusts up to 67 mph.
I arrived home to find the bathroom door destroyed — after discovering what had happened, I decided to file for divorce
Going on a trip with my sister was supposed to be a refreshing break before returning to my small family of three. But coming back turned into a nightmare. My husband of nine years betrayed me and our daughter in a way I couldn’t forgive, causing us to leave.
When I left for a quick two-day trip, I was content, imagining my husband, John, bonding with our daughter, Lila. But Sunday night, as I walked in the door, I was greeted by shredded wood, a broken bathroom door, and a strange tension between John and Lila.
John claimed he had to break the door when he got stuck, but his story felt off. Later, our neighbor Dave revealed the truth: Lila, scared by strange noises from the bathroom, ran to Dave for help. Rushing over, he found John inside with another woman, both screaming for him to leave.
My blood turned cold. Another woman, in our home, with our daughter in the next room? My anger boiled over. When I confronted John, he feebly insisted she was “just a friend.” I was done. That night, I packed and told him Lila and I were leaving in the morning.
The next day, we moved out. I left John with a broken home and a shattered marriage. Now, in a temporary apartment, I watch Lila smile again, knowing I made the right choice. Our family might be smaller, but at least we’re free from deceit.
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