See storm path after landfall near Siesta Key

Hurricane Milton is expected to move through Florida and into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after what President Joe Biden called the “storm of the century” made landfall on the state's west coast.

In downtown Tampa early Thursday, high winds brought down traffic lights, tore signs from the ground and sent construction barricades flying across the wet asphalt. Milton's winds also tore down plywood designed to block the storm, hampering first responders' response to emergencies.

After the storm left the state near Cape Canaveral at Force 1, neighborhoods were flooded, homes were destroyed and the roof of Tropicana Field was torn off.

The devastation occurred as Milton made landfall late Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane amid a spate of tornadoes on the state's west coast. The system struck near Siesta Key in Sarasota County and brought severe weather to Tampa Bay, Sarasota and other regions still reeling from the devastation caused by Helene less than two weeks ago.

Biden, Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials had warned residents for days earlier to follow evacuation orders as the life-threatening storm approached.

At least two deaths were reported at a senior living community following a suspected tornado in Fort Pierce on the state's east coast, NBC News reported, citing St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson. More than three million homes and businesses were in the dark as of early Thursday, according to USA TODAY power outage data.

“It’s literally a matter of life and death,” Biden said at an emergency briefing at the White House.

Hurricane Milton Live Updates: Hurricane Milton leaves destruction in its wake in storm-ravaged Florida

The National Hurricane Center warns of ongoing risks

In its 5 a.m. update Thursday, the National Hurricane Center warned that hurricane-force winds of about 85 mph are expected to continue in east-central and northeast Florida for several more hours.

“Residents are urged to stay indoors and away from windows,” the center said.

Additionally, heavy rainfall will continue in the region through mid-morning, creating a risk of flash flooding and urban flooding. The National Weather Service had previously predicted rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches across the central to northern portions of the Florida Peninsula through Thursday, with some local totals as high as 18 inches.

Hurricane Milton tracker

Hurricane Milton Spaghetti Models

The illustrations span a range of forecasting tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center only uses the four or five best-performing models in its forecasts.

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Video tutorial: 5 Essential Tips for Getting Texted and Called After a Big Storm

Hurricane Milton Live Stream

Watch live as Hurricane Milton heads toward Florida.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contributors: James Powel, John Bacon, Trevor Hughes, Dinah Voyles Pulver, Christopher Cann, Michael Loria, Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY

The National Hurricane Center warns of ongoing risks

Hurricane Milton tracker

Hurricane Milton Spaghetti Models

Hurricane Milton Live Stream

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