Hurricane Milton, one of the most powerful storms of 2024, caused widespread destruction across Florida, bringing unprecedented storm surges and historic rainfall. Naples, Florida, experienced its second-highest storm surge on record, with water levels reaching over 5.2 feet above normal high tides, second only to Hurricane Ian’s impact in 2022. Meanwhile, St. Petersburg saw a record-breaking 18.31 inches of rain on Wednesday, marking its rainiest day ever and nearly tripling the city’s previous record set in 2001. This event was categorized as a 1-in-1000-year rainfall occurrence, resulting in severe flooding across the Tampa Bay area, where over three million people faced flash flood emergencies.
As floodwaters began to recede and officials completed damage assessments, the Florida Highway Patrol reopened several major bridges in the Tampa region, including the Skyway Bridge, Howard Frankland Bridge, and Gandy Bridge. However, the Courtney Campbell Causeway remains closed, awaiting further inspections.
Milton’s strength was historic, peaking at 180 mph, making it the strongest hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico this late in the season and tying for the sixth-strongest in the Atlantic Basin overall this year. Its impact marks the third major hurricane to hit Florida this season—tied for the most on record. The state had already endured Hurricanes Debby and Helene before Milton, making 2024 one of the most challenging hurricane seasons in recent memory. Furthermore, Milton was the first hurricane in 100 years to pass within 50 miles of Tampa, an area that has largely been spared from direct hits in the past century.
The storm also ties 2024 with years like 2005 and 2020 for the second-most Gulf hurricanes making landfall in a single season, only trailing 1886. Florida’s repeated exposure to major hurricanes this season underscores the importance of continued disaster preparedness and resilience-building efforts for coastal communities.