MIAMI – Windy conditions continued across South Florida Wednesday evening as Hurricane Miltona powerful Category 3 storm, made landfall on the west coast of Florida.
Milton was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 mph when it made landfall on Siesta Key, near Sarasota. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges, damaging winds, flooding and tornadoes as it moves across the state to the Eastern Seaboard.
South Florida experienced strong winds of 30 to 40 mph on Wednesday, which are expected to continue through Thursday.
Milton’s Impact on South Florida
Hurricane Milton caused at least two tornadoes in South Florida.
Earlier today, a tornado touched down along Alligator Alley in western Broward County near Collier County, but no damage was reported.
Another tornado hit Wellington region in Palm Beach County, causing damage to some homes and causing trees to fall.
All of South Florida was under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. Wednesday. Several tornado warnings were also issued for Broward County.
In recent days, South Florida has seen a double number of storms. A non-tropical low pressure system brought heavy rain and flooding Sunday and Monday, followed by approaching Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, which is expected to bring more rain and wind through Thursday as the storm moves through the state .
The region remains at risk of flooding, with 4 to 7 inches or more of rainfall expected.
High winds downed a power line 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 were reported at Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International.
Nearly 2,000 flights within, to or from the United States were canceled Wednesday evening, according to tracking service FlightAware. This includes more than 380 canceled flights at Tampa International Airport.
When will conditions improve?
CBS News Miami
“By Thursday evening, things will start to calm down,” said Ivan Cabrera, chief meteorologist for CBS News Miami. “Conditions will improve on Friday and we hope that a calm and tranquil climate will establish for the weekend and next week.”
On Friday there will be a slight risk 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 up to 23 mph during the day, and north winds 10 to 13 mph with gusts up to 22 mph will be seen at night.
CBS News Miami
Highs should be near 86 and lows around 75.
Dangerous storm surge forecast for Florida
Forecasters warned of dangerous storm surge.
“The deepest waters will be along the immediate coast, near and south of the landfall location, where rising waters will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” the hurricane center said.
“Rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches, with localized totals up to 18 inches, are expected across central and northern portions of the Florida Peninsula through Thursday,” the hurricane center said.
“This rainfall brings a considerable risk of flash, urban and regional flooding, as well as the potential for moderate to major riverine flooding.”
Milton will also produce rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches over the Florida Keys through Thursday.
