How bad is the damage? What to know about Hurricane Milton after it slammed Florida

Florida residents began assessing damage Thursday after powerful Hurricane Milton brought strong winds, heavy rains and tornadoes as it moved toward the Gulf Coast and then barreled across the state.

Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters that officials will have a better understanding of the extent of the damage as the day progresses. “The storm was significant but thankfully, this was not the worst-case scenario,” he said.

The storm has caused at least four deaths in a state where communities were still dealing with the damage from deadly Hurricane Helene two weeks ago.

[ More than 3M without power as Hurricane Milton slams Florida, causes deaths and flooding ]

Hurricane Milton Weather The Ponce De Leon Hotel sign fell to the ground after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 in St Petersburg. (Lauren Peace/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Lauren Peace/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather An aerial view of Tropicana Field's shredded roof in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla., in the wake of Hurricane Milton early Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Max Chesnes/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (MAX CHESNES/AP)

APTOPIX Hurricane Milton Weather Drone images above Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, show the shredded roof of the dome and the cots on the field, set up for first responders, among the debris, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Max Chesnes/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (MAX CHESNES/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather The roof of Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, appeared to be badly damaged as Hurricane Milton passes Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Chris Urso/AP)

Tropicana Field's roof torn off by Hurricane Milton's winds Photo contributed by WTSP TV (contributed by NewsPath) (WTSP TV (contributed by NewsPath) /WTSP TV (contributed by NewsPath))

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 10: The roof at Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, sustained major damage because of high winds associated with Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Milton, which comes just after the recent catastrophic Hurricane Helene, landed into Florida's Gulf Coast late Wednesday evening as a Category 3 storm causing extensive flooding and damage. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Weather A car sits in high water in front of a home in the aftermath of hurricane Milton, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: Brandon Marlow walks through surge waters flooding the street after Hurricane Milton came ashore in the Sarasota area on October 09, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida. People are waiting to assess the damage after the Cat 3 hurricane came ashore. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Weather A downed tree lies across a road after the passage of Hurricane Milton, in downtwon Tampa, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather A downed tree lies across a road after the passage of Hurricane Milton, in downtown Tampa, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Doug Manning walks to his home along Commonwealth Drive after Hurricane Milton made landfall nearby Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 in Siesta Key, Fla. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (CHRIS URSO/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Doug Manning surveys damage to his Siesta Key, Fla., home after Hurricane Milton made landfall nearby Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (CHRIS URSO/AP)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: A person walks through surge waters after Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Sarasota area on October 09, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida. Milton, coming on the heels of the destructive Helene, hit as a category 3 storm with winds of over 100 mph, though veering south of the projected direct hit on Tampa. Instead, the storm, which earlier had reportedly spawned tornadoes, landed about 70 miles south of Tampa near Siesta Key, a strip of white-sand beaches that's home to 5,500 people, according to published reports.. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: Surge waters flood the street after Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Sarasota area on October 09, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida. Milton, coming on the heels of the destructive Helene, hit as a category 3 storm with winds of over 100 mph, though veering south of the projected direct hit on Tampa. Instead, the storm, which earlier had reportedly spawned tornadoes, landed about 70 miles south of Tampa near Siesta Key, a strip of white-sand beaches that's home to 5,500 people, according to published reports.. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida SARASOTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 10: Storm debris after Hurricane Milton October 10, 2024 in Sarasota, Florida. The storm made landfall at Siesta Key. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: A woman in a wheelchair makes her way along a downtown sidewalk as Hurricane Milton makes landfall on October 09, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. Milton, coming on the heels of the destructive Helene, hit as a category 3 storm with winds of over 100 mph, though avoiding the projected direct hit on Tampa. Instead, the storm, which earlier had reportedly spawned tornadoes, landed about 70 miles south of Tampa near Siesta Key, a strip of white-sand beaches that's home to 5,500 people, according to published reports. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: A television reporter stands in a downtown street as Hurricane Milton makes landfall on October 09, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. Milton, coming on the heels of the destructive Helene, hit as a category 3 storm with winds of over 100 mph, though avoiding the projected direct hit on Tampa. Instead, the storm, which earlier had reportedly spawned tornadoes, landed about 70 miles south of Tampa near Siesta Key, a strip of white-sand beaches that's home to 5,500 people, according to published reports. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida SARASOTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 10: Boats at Marina Jack following Hurricane on Milton October 10, 2024 in Sarasota, Florida. The storm made landfall at Siesta Key. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: People walk along a street through the wind and rain after power was knocked as Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Sarasota area on October 09, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida. Milton, coming on the heels of the destructive Helene, hit as a category 3 storm with winds of over 100 mph, though veering south of the projected direct hit on Tampa. Instead, the storm, which earlier had reportedly spawned tornadoes, landed about 70 miles south of Tampa near Siesta Key, a strip of white-sand beaches that's home to 5,500 people, according to published reports.. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: A television reporter stands on a downtown street as Hurricane Milton makes landfall on October 09, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. Milton, coming on the heels of the destructive Helene, hit as a category 3 storm with winds of over 100 mph, though avoiding the projected direct hit on Tampa. Instead, the storm, which earlier had reportedly spawned tornadoes, landed about 70 miles south of Tampa near Siesta Key, a strip of white-sand beaches that's home to 5,500 people, according to published reports. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida SARASOTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 9: Wind and rain batter the area as Hurricane Milton approaches on October 9, 2024 in Sarasota, Florida. Milton, which comes just after the recent catastrophic hurricane Helene, will hit Florida's central Gulf Coast and is expected to make landfall with destructive winds and flooding. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: Members of the media work in flooded streets after Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Sarasota area on October 09, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida. Milton, coming on the heels of the destructive Helene, hit as a category 3 storm with winds of over 100 mph, though veering south of the projected direct hit on Tampa. Instead, the storm, which earlier had reportedly spawned tornadoes, landed about 70 miles south of Tampa near Siesta Key, a strip of white-sand beaches that's home to 5,500 people, according to published reports.. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida PORT CHARLOTTE - OCTOBER 10: A boat rests on a road after Hurricane Milton came ashore on October 10, 2024, in Port Charlotte, Florida. The storm came ashore as a Category 3 hurricane in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Milton Barrels Into Florida PORT CHARLOTTE - OCTOBER 10: A boat rests on a road after Hurricane Milton came ashore on October 10, 2024, in Port Charlotte, Florida. The storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding throughout Central Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Putnam County Milton damage The Crill Avenue underpass was closed Wednesday prior to the storm due to flooding.

Hurricane Milton Joe Lindquist, 32, of St. Petersburg, walks over bricks near a fallen crane along 1st Avenue South near the Tampa Bay Times offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, as Hurricane Milton's strong winds tore through the area. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Chris Urso/AP)

Hurricane Milton A group is silhouetted against a fallen crane along 1st Avenue South near the Tampa Bay Times offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, as Hurricane Milton's strong winds tore through the area. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Chris Urso/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Police respond to a traffic accident between a car and a fire truck returning from a call, on near-deserted streets in downtown Tampa, Fla., during the approach of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather A crane falls onto a building along 1st Avenue South in St. Petersburg, Fla., as Hurricane Milton's strong winds tore through the area Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Chris Urso/AP)

APTOPIX Hurricane Milton Weather Chris Nation, of Commerce, Ga., climbs a tree and gestures while hanging out with coworkers outside the hotel where they are riding out Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. Nation, who works for a towing company, was deployed with colleagues to Florida to aid in the aftermath of the storm. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Wind-driven rain soaks a street in downtown Tampa, Fla., during the passage of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Chris Nation, of Commerce, Ga., skids on puddles in the parking lot of the hotel where he's riding out Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. Nation, who works for a towing company, was deployed to Florida to aid in the aftermath of the storm. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather A man walking his dogs takes a picture from the sheltered entryway of the Hyatt Place Downtown Tampa hotel, as strong gusts of wind from Hurricane Milton blow sheets of rain along the street in Tampa, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

APTOPIX Hurricane Milton Weather Max Watts, of Buford, Ga., walks in the parking lot to check on a trailer parked outside the hotel where he is riding out Hurricane Milton with coworkers, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. Watts, who works for a towing company, was deployed with colleagues to Florida to aid in the aftermath of the storm. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather A car drives past a pile of debris from Hurricane Helene flooding, along a street that had already begun flooding from rain ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, in Gulfport, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather A tow truck responds following a traffic accident between a car and a fire truck returning from a call, on near-deserted streets in downtown Tampa, Fla., during the approach of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Melvin Lee HIcks, who is homeless, wears a trash bag to protect against wind-driven rain, as he stands on a street in downtown Tampa, Fla., during the approach of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton People walk through nearly-deserted downtown Tampa, Fla., in windy and rainy conditions during the approach of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Melvin Lee Hicks, who is homeless, lies under a sheet donated by a nearby hotel, as he shelters alongside a parking garage in downtown Tampa, Fla., during the approach of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather The city of Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., is seen from Surfside, Fla., as the outer bands of Hurricane Milton kick up the sand, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

APTOPIX Cuba Hurricane Milton Weather People take photos of the spray from waves crashing against the Malecon seawall, brought by the passing of Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico, in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (Ramon Espinosa/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Explainer Youths duck behind the Malecon seawall as they play in the surf brought by Hurricane Milton passing through the Gulf of Mexico, in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (Ramon Espinosa/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Explainer A jogger trots as rain falls ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Explainer This GOES-16 GeoColor satellite image taken at 11:46 a.m. EDT and provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (NOAA via AP) (Uncredited/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Explainer Ron Rook, who said he was looking for people in need of help or debris to clear, walks through windy and rainy conditions on a deserted street in downtown Tampa, Fla., during the approach of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather Explainer A car drives past a pile of debris from Hurricane Helene flooding, along a street that had already begun flooding from rain ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, in Gulfport, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

APTOPIX Hurricane Milton Weather Ron Rook, who said he was looking for people in need of help or debris to clear, walks through windy and rainy conditions on a deserted street in downtown Tampa, Fla., during the approach of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather An apparent tornado caused by Hurricane Milton, tore the awning off a 7-Eleven convenient store, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Cape Coral, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) (Marta Lavandier/AP)

APTOPIX Hurricane Milton Weather Christian Burke stands at the door of his home, where he, his mother, and his aunt plan to ride out Hurricane Milton on the third floor overlooking overlooking Tampa Bay, in Gulfport, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. Burke, who said his engineer father built the concrete home to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, expects his raised ground floor to get up to 8 feet of water in Milton. A boat deposited by Hurricane Helene sits lodged in the bay front park outside his front door. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hurricane Milton A Lee County Sheriff's officer patrols the streets of Cape Coral, Fla., as heavy rain falls ahead of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) (Marta Lavandier/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather An apparent tornado caused by Hurricane Milton tossed an ice machine into the parking lot of a 7-Eleven convenient store, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Cape Coral, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) (Marta Lavandier/AP)

Tornadoes spotted in South Florida as Hurricane Milton creeps closer (The National Weather Service /The National Weather Service)

Hurricane Milton Weather A person walks under light rain ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather A vehicle crosses a bridge as rain begins to fall ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather A jogger trots in light rain ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)

Hurricane Milton Weather This GOES-16 GeoColor satellite image taken at 11:46 a.m. EDT and provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (NOAA via AP) (Uncredited/AP)

Where did Milton make landfall and where did it go next?

Milton made landfall Wednesday evening as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, a barrier island of white sand beaches about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of the Tampa Bay area, sparing a direct hit on the area that’s home to over 3.3 million people.

DeSantis said that Sarasota County, where Siesta Key is located, appears to have gotten the worst storm surge at 8 to 10 feet (2.5 to 3 meters). That is lower than the worst place during Helene though.

By Thursday morning, Milton — weakened to a Category 1 storm, but still dangerous — had moved off Florida’s east coast.

How bad is the damage?

Officials in hard-hit Florida counties were urging people to stay home, warning of downed power lines, trees in roads, blocked bridges and flooding.

Before Milton even made landfall, heavy rain and tornadoes lashed parts of southern Florida, and over 100 homes were destroyed.

The storm knocked out power across a large section of Florida, leaving almost 3.4 million homes and businesses without electricity, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility reports. Multiple cranes were also toppled in the storm.

In St. Petersburg, a water main break led the city to shut down service. And the roof of the city’s Tropicana Field, which is home to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, was destroyed. Just inland from Tampa, the flooding in Plant City was “absolutely staggering,” according to City Manager Bill McDaniel.

Though the deadly storm surge feared for Tampa never materialized, the city still saw flooding.

Why are scientists saying this is an odd storm season?

Milton is the latest system in a storm season scientists say is the weirdest they have ever seen.

Beryl became the earliest storm on record to reach Category 5 status, but there was record quiet from Aug. 20 — the traditional start of peak hurricane season — to Sept. 23, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.

Then five hurricanes popped up between Sept. 26 and Oct. 6, more than double the old record of two. On Sunday and Monday, there were three hurricanes at the same time, which had never happened before, Klotzback said.

In just 46 1/2 hours, Milton went from forming as a tropical storm with 40 mph winds to a top-of-the-charts Category 5 hurricane.

Some might wonder if it is possible to control extreme weather events. But scientists say hurricanes are too powerful for that, and climate change is providing more fuel than ever for storms like Helene and Milton.

What makes Milton so unusual?

Warm water fueled rapid intensification that took Milton from a minimal hurricane to a massive Category 5 in less than 10 hours.

Milton also grew so potent because it avoided high-level cross winds that often decapitate storms, especially in autumn. As Milton neared Florida, it hit those winds and dropped in strength.

What if I have travel plans to Florida?

Airports including Tampa International and nearby St. Pete-Clearwater International were shut down.

And tourism in Orlando, about 84 miles (135 kilometers) inland from Tampa, halted Wednesday after the city’s airport — the nation’s seventh busiest and Florida’s most trafficked — ceased operations. At least three major theme parks — Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld — also closed.

The Tampa airport sustained minimal damage and was expected to reopen Friday.

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