MIAMI – Windy conditions continue in South Florida on Friday evening as Hurricane Miltona powerful Category 3 storm, making landfall on Florida’s west coast.
Milton packed maximum winds of 120 mph when it made landfall on Siesta Key near Sarasota. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, flooding, and tornadoes as it moves across the state toward the east coast.
South Florida experienced gusty winds of 30 to 40 mph Wednesday, which are expected to continue through Thursday.
Milton’s impact on South Florida
Hurricane Milton spun off at least two tornadoes in South Florida.
Earlier in the day, a tornado touched down along Alligator Alley in western Broward County near Collier County, although no damage was reported.
Another tornado touched down Wellington area from Palm Beach County, causing damage to several homes and bringing down trees.
All of South Florida is under a tornado watch until 9 pm Wednesday. Several tornado warnings have also been issued for Broward County.
In recent times, South Florida has experienced a “one-two” storm. A non-tropical low pressure system brought heavy rain and flooding on Sunday and Monday, followed by Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, which is forecast to bring rain and windy conditions through Thursday as the storm moves across the state.
The area remains under threat of flooding, with 4 to 7 inches of rain or more expected.
Strong winds downed power lines in Broward County near NE 28th Street in Wilton Manors.
Airports report delays and cancellations
Hurricane Milton continued to affect flights at South Florida airports on Wednesday.
Cancellations and delays are reported at Miami International Airport and at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International.
Nearly 2,000 flights in, in or out of the United States were canceled Wednesday night, according to tracking service FlightAware. This includes more than 380 canceled flights at Tampa International Airport.
When will the situation improve?
CBS News Miami
“By the end of Thursday, things are going to go down,” CBS News Miami chief meteorologist Ivan Cabrera said. “Conditions will improve on Friday, and we expect a quiet and calm pattern for the weekend and next week.”
On Friday, there will be a chance of showers and thunderstorms. It will be cloudy with a 20% chance of rain during the day and 20% at night, according to the NWS.
North winds will be around 14 mph with gusts as high as 23 mph during the day, and north winds from 10 to 13 mph with gusts as high as 22 will be seen at night.
CBS News Miami
Highs are expected to be near 86 and lows around 75.
The storm surge forecast is dangerous for Florida
Forecasters warned of dangerous storm surges.
“The deepest water will occur immediately offshore and to the south of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” the hurricane center said.
“Rain amounts of 6 to 12 inches, with local totals of up to 18 inches, are expected over the central to northern Florida Peninsula through Thursday,” the hurricane center said.
“This rainfall brings the risk of major, urban and regional flooding, along with the potential for moderate to major river flooding.”
Milton will also produce rain totals of 2 to 4 inches in the Florida Keys through Thursday.
