Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, Wednesday night.
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's west coast Wednesday night as a Category 3 hurricane.
The monster storm came ashore bringing life-threatening storm surge and Category 3 winds.
The northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton has come ashore in Florida with 120 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center said.
"The northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton is beginning to move onshore of the Florida gulf coast near Tampa and St. Petersburg where an Extreme Wind Warning is now in effect. Please shelter in place as these extremely dangerous hurricane-force winds overspread the region," the NHC warned.
Pasco County Fire Rescue in Tampa has suspended all emergency service response in the area as Milton nears landfall, with officials saying, "It's no longer safe for high-profile rescue vehicles to be on the road."
"If you're in danger, please call 911 and provide details of your situation. We're constantly monitoring weather conditions and emergency crews will respond as soon as it is safe to do so," officials said.
Ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall Wednesday night, the Sarasota Police Department said its last patrol vehicle has returned to headquarters.
"Sustained wind speeds are too strong for emergency services to respond," the department wrote in a statement on X. "We will now wait out the storm, just like you, and once it passes, we will begin our rescue and recovery process."
In a follow-up post, Sarasota officials said emergency services are "grounded."
"You need to shelter in place. If you need help, we cannot respond. Please do not venture out and put your life in danger," the department said.
During an address Wednesday, President Joe Biden spoke of the incoming threat of Hurricane Milton, which is forecast to hit Florida's west coast as a Category 3 storm.
"I urge everyone in Hurricane Milton's past to listen to local officials and follow all the safety instructions they give," Biden said.
"At this point, evacuation is probably difficult, so I encourage people to look for safer shelter, sometimes moving just a few miles can mean the difference between life and death," Biden added.
Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other officials discussed the ongoing federal efforts to recover from Hurricane Helene and prepare for Milton.
"So, my final message tonight is to the people of Florida and all the impacted states, we've got your back. We've got your back. And Kamala and I will be there for as long as it takes to rescue, recover, and rebuild."
-ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler
