As Hurricane Milton sweeps across Florida, nearly 2.8 million homes and businesses are currently without power. The impact of the storm has been particularly severe in Sarasota County, where Milton made landfall on Siesta Key.
Reports indicate that Hillsborough County is experiencing the most significant outages, with 510,000 customers in the dark as of 2 a.m. ET. The situation is dire in neighboring counties as well, with between 80-97% of energy customers without power in Sarasota, Manatee, and Hardee counties.
With Milton's powerful winds continuing to move towards Florida's east coast, experts predict that the number of outages will only increase in the coming hours. The widespread power loss is a result of the storm's impact on the state's infrastructure, causing disruptions in electricity supply across the region.
Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this challenging time. Emergency response teams are working tirelessly to address the outages and restore power as quickly as possible.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for individuals in affected areas to stay informed and follow guidance from local officials. Stay tuned for further updates on the impact of Hurricane Milton and the ongoing efforts to mitigate its effects on the state of Florida.
