Darkness fell as the storm hit Florida’s Gulf Coast, bringing deadly tornadoes and heavy flooding. Millions lost power, and many communities were left in ruins.
Hurricane Milton, a strong Category 3 storm, made landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, Florida, on October 9, around 8:30 in the evening.
With winds over 120 miles per hour and heavy rain, the hurricane caused major damage. More than 1.1 million homes and businesses lost power, especially in Sarasota, Manatee, and Hardee counties.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) posted on Facebook, urging people to stay inside and remain alert.
As the hurricane approached, tornadoes tore through St. Lucie County, causing severe damage and deaths. Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed “multiple fatalities” in a senior community near Fort Pierce.
The exact number of deaths is still unknown as rescue teams search for survivors. “They are listening for life,” Pearson said, describing efforts to find people in the wreckage.
St. Lucie County has suffered massive destruction. County spokesman Erick Gill said, “Dozens of homes have been damaged, some with catastrophic damage.”
Statewide, about 125 homes were destroyed, mostly in senior mobile home communities, according to FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie. Emergency workers are working nonstop to help those affected.
Governor Ron DeSantis said the storm caused 116 tornado warnings across the state, with 19 tornadoes confirmed. The damage from Hurricane Milton is widespread.
In St. Petersburg, a rare rainfall event occurred, with over nine inches of rain in just three hours. This was more rain than the city usually gets in three months.
An advisory on October 10 from the National Weather Service warned of flash floods in parts of west-central Florida. Strong winds also continued to hit the east coast.
By 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time, St. Petersburg had winds of 48 mph, with gusts up to 79 mph. Orlando recorded winds of 46 mph, with gusts of 74 mph, and Cape Canaveral had winds of 52 mph, with gusts up to 67 mph.
SEAN HANNITY’S SHOCK DIVORCE AFTER 20+ YEARS — FIND OUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED
Sean Hannity, the well-known TV personality from Fox News, has come a long way from his early days to becoming a big name in media. Even though he is a public figure, he has kept a lot of his personal life private.
Sean was born on December 30, 1961, in New York City to Irish immigrant parents.
Sean Hannity grew up in Franklin Square, a suburb of Long Island. From a young age, he worked hard, starting with delivering newspapers and then taking various jobs in restaurants.
In 1989, Hannity started his career in radio by hosting a talk show on a college station. His early career hit a bump when he made a controversial comment about a lesbian mother, which led to his departure from the station. But he didn’t give up. He moved to Alabama and continued working at conservative AM radio stations.
In 1996, Sean Hannity’s career took a big leap when Fox News launched, and he was hired as one of their political commentators. Even though some doubted whether he was right for TV, Hannity pushed through and became a key figure on the network. He first co-hosted *Hannity & Colmes* with Alan Colmes before eventually getting his own show, *Hannity*.
Over the years, Hannity has been a strong voice in conservative media, receiving both praise and criticism for his views. Despite the early doubts, he became one of Fox News’s top stars, reportedly earning $25 million a year.
Sean Hannity was married to Jill Rhodes for over 20 years before they divorced in 2019. They have two children, Sean Patrick and Merri Kelly Hannity. After the divorce, rumors started about Hannity’s relationship with Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt. While they initially denied it, they were later seen together at various events and even quarantined together during the pandemic.
Despite the attention on his personal life, Hannity remains focused on his career and raising his children. He continues to be a major figure in American media, shaping political conversations and influencing public opinion.
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