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    • See storm path after landfall near Siesta Key
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    See storm path after landfall near Siesta Key

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    Hurricane Milton is expected to barrel through Florida 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, high winds knocked down traffic lights early Thursday, uprooted signs and sent construction barricades flying across wet pavement. Milton’s winds also tore off plywood intended to keep out the storm and hampered first responders’ response to emergencies.

    In the aftermath of the storm, which left the state near Cape Canaveral at Category 1 strength, neighborhoods were flooded, homes destroyed and the roof torn off Tropicana Field.

    The devastation came as Milton made landfall on the state’s west coast late Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane amid a flurry of tornadoes it spawned. The system hit near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, bringing severe weather to Tampa Bay, Sarasota and other regions still reeling from Helene’s devastation less than two weeks ago.

    Biden, Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials had spent days warning residents to follow evacuation orders amid the life-threatening storm’s approach.

    At least two deaths were reported at a nursing home after a suspected tornado in Fort Pierce on the state’s east coast, NBC News reported, citing St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson. More than 3 million homes and businesses were in the dark early Thursday, according to power outage data from USA TODAY.

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

    Hurricane Milton live updates: Hurricane Milton leaves devastation in storm-weary Florida

    National Hurricane Center warns of continued risks

    In its update at 5 a.m. Thursday, the National Hurricane Center warned that hurricane force winds of about 80 mph are expected to continue for several hours in east-central and northeast Florida.

    “Residents are urged to remain in an indoor room and away from windows,” the center said.

    The region will also experience heavy rainfall throughout the morning, bringing the risk of flash floods and urban flooding. The National Weather Service had previously forecast rain amounts of 6 to 12 inches across the central and northern part of the Florida peninsula through Thursday, with some localized totals of up to 7 inches.

    Hurricane Milton tracker

    Hurricane Milton Spaghetti Models

    Illustrations cover a range of forecasting tools and models, and they are not all the same. The hurricane center uses only the four or five best-performing models to help make its forecasts.

    Hurricanes, tornadoes, snow and heat: Sign up for USA TODAY’s Climate Point newsletter for expert weather analysis.

    Hurricanes, tornadoes, snow and heat: Sign up for USA TODAY’s Climate Point newsletter for exclusive weather analysis.

    Video tutorial: 5 indispensable tips to receive a text message and continue calling after a heavy storm

    Hurricane Milton livestream

    Watch live how Hurricane Milton heads towards 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

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