Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane.
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's west coast as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday night. The monster storm roared ashore with life-threatening storm surge, powerful winds and flooding rains.
Wind gusts climbed to 97 mph in Tampa and 102 mph at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport as Milton slammed the coast.
Milton's powerful winds even ripped part of the roof off of Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
No first responders were being staged at Tropicana Field and essential personnel at the stadium are all safe, a Tampa Bay Rays spokesperson said.
Hurricane Milton’s heavy rains sparked a flash-flood emergency for the Tampa Bay area.
Tampa has recorded 1 foot of rain, while Lakeland -- about 35 miles inland from Tampa -- saw 10 inches of rain.
Fifteen people, including young children, were rescued from a Tampa home Wednesday night when a tree fell on top of the house and water rushed inside, Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor on Thursday is urging residents to stay inside and off the roads, warning, "It's not over."
-ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway
Over 2,200 flights have been canceled across the country on Thurssday as Hurricane Milton pummels Florida.
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Orlando Sanford International Airport, Palm Beach International Airport and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport all closed for the storm.
The Florida Division of Emergency Services said it has partnered with Uber to provide free rides to and from shelters.
More than 8 inches of rain pummeled Daytona Beach on Florida’s east coast overnight, causing flash flooding Thursday morning.
The flooding and hurricane-force wind gusts are ongoing from Daytona Beach to Cape Canaveral.
