The storm has caused deaths, flooding and devastating damage across a large section of the state but spared Tampa a direct hit.

The cyclone had maximum sustained winds of 120mph (205kph) as it roared ashore 8.30pm local time.

The cyclone had maximum sustained winds of 120mph (205kph) as it roared ashore 8.30pm local time.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Milton plowed into Florida as a Category 3 storm Wednesday, bringing misery to a coast still ravaged by Helene, pounding cities with winds of over 100 mph (160 kph) after producing a barrage of tornadoes, but sparing Tampa a direct hit. The storm tracked to the south in the final hours and made landfall in Siesta Key near Sarasota, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Tampa. The situation in the Tampa area was still a major emergency as St. Petersburg recorded over 16 inches (41 centimeters) of rain, prompting the National Weather Service to warn of flash flooding. Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, appeared to be badly damaged. Television images Wednesday night showed that the fabric that serves as the domed building’s roof had been ripped to shreds. It was not immediately clear if there was damage inside the stadium.More than 2 million homes and businesses were without power in Florida, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility reports.…

More than 1.5 million homes and business lost power Wednesday night as Hurricane Milton, which many fear could become a historically damaging storm, made landfall in Florida. The category 3 storm brought…

Hurricane Milton has plowed into Florida as a Category 3 storm, bringing misery to a coast still ravaged by Helene, pounding cities with winds of over 100 mph after producing a barrage of tornadoes.

Another potentially devastating storm barrelled toward the Florida coast on Sunday. Forecast models predicted the storm to hit the Tampa Bay area by midweek. Other southeastern American states affected…