A tornado struck Fort Myers, Florida, on Wednesday, just ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall. Videos from the scene showed extensive damage in areas like Colonial and Orangewood, where several roofs were torn off buildings. Another tornado was reported along I-75 near Broward County.
TORNADO damage path in Fort Myers. Tornado outbreak in progress!!! #MILTON@[email protected]/L7Ww0Ewm8i
— Aaron Jayjack (@aaronjayjack) October 9, 2024
Tornado Damage in Fort Myers at Colonial and Orangewood. Multiple roofs gone. @NWSTampaBay@[email protected]/o7j013TuCK
— Storm Tracker Mike Scantlin (@theScantman) October 9, 2024
The Associated Press reported that the possible tornado touched down near the Page Field Airport in Fort Myers. As per the report, tree leaves were torn off, the canopy from a gas station was completely shredded and the pieces lay in the road nearby. The area has been placed on a tornado watch for all of Wednesday.
Milton is expected to make landfall late Wednesday in the Tampa Bay region of Florida. For most counties along Florida's west coast, a tornado watch is in effect and mandatory evacuation was ordered. Many local administrations warned residents that the time to evacuate has passed.
Deanne Criswell, the Administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Wednesday morning, “Some of you might still be able to evacuate safely. For others, it may be too late.”
Also read: Hurricane Milton Approaches Landfall in Florida: Why Tampa Bay Is So Vulnerable
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in a briefing Wednesday that the state is about to take "a major hit." Early Wednesday morning, Milton was about 150 miles (240 kilometers) southwest of Tampa. It had sustained wind speed of 130 mph (215 kph).
The storm is expected to hit Florida with hurricane strength as it lands In Tampa and crosses central Florida on Thursday toward the Atlantic Ocean.
Tampa Bay is expected to witness an eight to 12-foot storm surge just in Tampa Bay. As it moves southward, the Anna Maria Island and the Boca Grande could see a surge of up to 13 feet.