Hurricane Milton Live Blog: Roof ripped off Tropicana Field

We're bringing you the most up-to-date information on Hurricane Milton as all of the Tampa Bay region prepares for the storm.

HURRICANE RESOURCES

• National Hurricane Center updates
• Sandbag locations ahead of Hurricane Milton
• Evacuations across Tampa Bay
• County-by-County shelter list
• County-by-County press conferences
• Hurricane Center
• Local Forecast
• Radar

Thursday, Oct. 10

12:47 a.m.

Polk County Sheriff's Office said that the following roads are flooded and impassable:

• 640 at the Peace River Bridge
• Imperial Lakes Blvd, Mulberry
• US 92 West of Old Dixie Hwy, Auburndale
• Reynolds Rd and Maine Ave, Lakeland
• 42nd St NW at Avenue Q NW, Winter Haven

12:16 a.m.

A crane collapsed during high winds in Downtown St. Petersburg. The crane was at the 400 Central building construction site, according to the City of St. Petersburg.

Wednesday, Oct. 9

11:20 p.m.

The City of St. Petersburg said that they will be shutting off drinking water citywide beginning at midnight. This is due to a water main break.

10:59 p.m.
Roof ripped off Tropicana Field from the winds of Hurricane Milton. We know that first responders were staging with cots inside the stadium.
This is a developing story. We will update.

WFTS

10:20 p.m

ABC Action News Reporter Adam Walser shows floodwaters beginning to take over Tampa streets.

10:05 p.m.

Hurricane Milton is now a Category 2 storm.

9:35 p.m.

Meteorologist Greg Dee takes a look at conditions outside of the ABC Action News studio.

9:20 p.m.

ABC Action News Reporter Robert Boyd shows what the strong winds are like in Seminole.

8:30 p.m.

The NHC said that Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key around 8:30 p.m. as a Category 3 storm.

7:50 p.m.

ABC Action News Reporter Michael Paluska gives an update from Sarasota.

7:42 p.m.

ABC Action News Anchor gives an update from Paul Lagrone in Bradenton as transformer blows during Hurricane Milton winds.

7:00 p.m.

Pinellas County officials are warning residents to shelter in place as Hurricane Milton approaches.

6:40 p.m.

An Extreme Wind Warning has been issued for:

• Manatee County (until 9:30 p.m.)
• Pinellas County (until 9:30 p.m.)
• Hillsborough County (until 9:30 p.m.)

According to ABC Action News Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips, this is the most severe weather alert the area will see with Hurricane Milton.

The National Weather Service said, "extreme winds, associated with the eyewall of Hurricane Milton, were moving onshore along a line extending from 6 miles southwest of South Bradenton to 25 miles southwest of Anna Maria to 52 miles southwest of Saint Armands Key and moving northeast at 30 miles per hour. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION!"

NWS

6:37 p.m.

President Joe Biden spoke from the White House Wednesday evening as Hurricane Milton was about to make landfall in Florida. The president pledged full federal support for the region.

6:33 p.m.

Multiple city and county first responders are being taken off the road until the storm has passed for their safety, including Pinellas County, Clearwater, Pasco County, and Manatee County.

6:15 p.m.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies were pulled from the road until the storm passes and it is safe for them to respond to calls once again.

5:50 p.m.

The City of St. Petersburg said that the Northeast and Southwest Sewer Treatment Plants are now offline due to potential storm surge. You can check which sewer treatment plant serves your home by clicking here. The City says these are the only facilities that are anticipated to be affected by the storm surge and there are currently no plans to shut down drinking water.

Residents in the affected areas should:

• Flush toilets only as necessary as the toilets may not drain
• Limit taking showers or using bathtubs, dishwashers, and washing machines
• Fill up water bottles in advance to brush your teeth outdoors or over a container
• Avoid putting water down the drains

5:43 p.m.

St. Petersburg said all first responders operations will be paused for now with Hurricane Milton making landfall in the next few hours.

5:37 p.m.
Kylie McGivern is reporting from Seminole. As a reporter who has lived in the Tampa Bay area her entire life, this storm feels different and personal to her.

See her full report

5:35 p.m.

The Bradenton Police Department shows what conditions are like on Riverview Boulevard.

4:45 PM - Riverview Boulevard, Manatee River, Bradenton pic.twitter.com/aJUxxTpCOO

— Bradenton Police Department (@BradentonPD) October 9, 2024

5:30 p.m.

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office says it is no longer safe to be on the roads due to reports of flooding. SCSO says to shelter in place and leave the roadways open for first responders.

5:25 p.m.

Robert Boyd gives an update in Seminole.

4:56 p.m.
FHP reports an overturned camper and pickup truck on the Polk Parkway news mm 17.

4:30 p.m.

Polk County Sheriff's Office says that two streets are impassable due to flooding. Deputies say to avoid Reynolds Road at Maine Avenue in Lakeland and 42nd Street NW at Avenue Q NW in Winter Haven.

4:15 p.m.

Milton is now a category 3 hurricane with winds around 125 mph.

3:34 p.m.

Earlier this morning, Florida Highway Patrol troopers in Tampa found a dog that was tied to a fence and abandoned by its owner. The dog is now safe and receiving care. He was brought to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health.

FHP

3:09 p.m.

Five tornadoes have touched down in Lee County today. There are currently no reported injuries.

3 p.m.

Robert Boyd gives an update in Seminole.

2:08 p.m.

Downed power lines have shut down US 98 at CR 621 in Highlands County. Officials said there are other downed power lines in the area, so it should avoided.

12:44 p.m.

The Howard Frankland Bridge, westbound Gandy Bridge, westbound Courtney Campbell, and the Skyway Bridge are now all closed to traffic.

12:16 p.m.

A tornado moved across Alligator Alley in South Florida Wednesday morning as Hurricane Milton continued to move toward the state.

11:27 a.m.

The Florida Highway Patrol has closed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to all traffic due to Hurricane Milton.

FDOT

11:11 a.m.

A tornado has been spotted around Broward and Collier Counties. Photos by the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP

11:03 a.m.

Hurricane Milton's landfall is now expected earlier, with winds at 145 mph.

10:03 a.m.

AT&T is waiving overage charges to provide unlimited talk, text and data for postpaid and prepaid customers with billing addresses in zip codes across affected areas from Oct. 9 through Nov. 7.

Find more details here.

9:42 a.m.

Pinellas County has opened three additional shelters for evacuees.

9:24 a.m.

Manatee County has opened six additional shelters, and Hillsborough County has opened three for those still evacuating.

8:30 a.m.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for the following counties until 9 p.m.:

• DeSoto County
• Hardee County
• Highlands County
• Hillsborough County
• Manatee County
• Pinellas County
• Polk County
• Sarasota County

WFTS

Find a full list of alerts here.

8:20 a.m.

DeSoto County has extended its school closures to Friday, Oct. 11.

8:14 a.m.

Hurricane Milton has been downgraded to a Category 4, with wind speeds of 155.

6:58 a.m.

Reporter Lydia Vazquez is live in Clearwater, where she's seeing boarded-up windows and doors.

6:10 a.m.

According to GasBuddy, 46.56% of gas stations in Tampa and St. Petersburg are without fuel, and 17.4% are without fuel in Florida.

5:08 a.m.

The NHC has nudged Hurricane Milton's track north, and winds are now at 160 mph. It is now projected to make landfall as a Category 4.

1:30 a.m.

Homeowners living in Apollo Beach already saw devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Now, they're preparing for impacts from Hurricane Milton.

1:00 a.m.

Sarasota County Government warns residents of the electrical hazards and potential fires when electric vehicles are exposed to saltwater flooding.

Floodwaters can submerge electric and hybrid vehicles, creating electrical hazards and potential fires days or weeks later. Saltwater flooding can cause damage to your electric vehicle's battery. pic.twitter.com/VKIfYeT23v

— Sarasota County Government (@SRQCountyGov) October 9, 2024

Tuesday, Oct. 8

11:25 p.m.

Residents across Tampa Bay seek refuge in area shelters.

11:13 p.m.

People in Sarasota County have been taking steps to prepare for Milton for days, and the importance of those precautions was underscored Tuesday afternoon when Milton’s track shifted slightly south. The shift puts the area in the storm’s direct path, at least for now. Access to the barrier islands is now closed in Sarasota County until the storm passes. An incredible amount of debris from Hurricane Helene remains in places like Lido Key and St. Armands Circle.

10:38 p.m.

Four Hillsborough County sites will remain open from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday to accept yard waste and mixed storm debris.

10:09 p.m.

Waffle House has closed several locations across the Tampa Bay area ahead of Milton.

For those unfamiliar with the "Waffle House Index," it's more than just waffles and coffee. Whether or not locations close has become a way to measure the effect of a natural disaster on an area. Since the eatery is usually open 24/7, it is seen as a bad sign when they decide to close.

At least 25 locations were closed as of 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Our #whindex status maps reflect our closures as of 2pm today in advance of #HurricaneMilton. More updates to come. Please stay safe.**Due to the potential for variations in Milton's path, this information is subject to change without notice. Please follow local guidance. pic.twitter.com/AWig09L8bP

— Waffle House (@WaffleHouse) October 8, 2024

9:24 p.m.

According to the Louisiana National Guard, 500 Louisiana Guard Soldiers have been mobilized to support Florida in anticipation of Hurricane Milton. Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with eight guardsmen departed for Tallahassee Tuesday morning.

Picture from The Louisiana National Guard

From Louisiana National Guard

8:40 p.m.

Access to Bird Key, St. Armands Key, Lido Key, and Siesta Key is officially closed to the public. Residents are still able to leave, but there is no re-entry. Officers are stationed at the following bridges to ensure access is restricted:

• John Ringling Causeway
• Siesta Drive Bridge
• Stickney Point Bridge
• Blackburn Point Swing Bridge
• Albee Road Bridge
• Manasota Beach Road Bridge

6:56 p.m.
People living in Pinellas County are concerned about storm debris left behind after Hurricane Helene ahead of Milton. I-Team investigator Kylie McGivern has been examining decisions made by county leaders that residents say delayed clean-up efforts.

Tuesday, the county gave residents less than a 10-minute notice that they would stop collecting storm debris at noon. Kylie asked local leaders why.

Watch full update from Kylie McGivern

5:52 p.m.
Water service turned off in Pinellas County ahead of Milton

See full report from Casey Albritton

5:50 p.m.
Reporter Mary O'Connell checked out how people in neighborhoods near South Tampa were preparing for the storm, with many packing up their cars and heading out of town. Hillsborough County issued a mandatory evacuation order for evacuation zones A and B and for all mobile homes and manufactured housing throughout the county. People were also busy Tuesday boarding up their homes ahead of Hurricane Milton.

See full report from Mary O'Connell

4:44 p.m.

Tens of thousands of residents across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pasco Counties have taken the advice of officials and are evacuating the area ahead of Hurricane Milton. And many of them are worried there will be nothing to return to after the storm.

4:31 p.m.
Disney will close theme parks and Disney Springs beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Universal Orlando will be closed beginning at 2 p.m. Wednesday

Busch Gardens and Seaworld will also close on Wednesday.

4:12 p.m.

Officials anticipate a full closure of all area bridges, including Skyway, Howard Frankland, Gandy, and Courtney Campbell, by Wednesday afternoon.

3:24 p.m.

Bradenton Police moved tactical equipment to a secure location.

3:15 p.m.

St. Petersburg officials issued a Public Safety Advisory for residents and businesses near tower cranes in the city. City officials said the following four construction sites in downtown St. Pete are of "particular concern" due to their height and design.

• 400 Central Avenue (downtown)
• 275 1st Avenue South (downtown)
• 1000 1st Avenue North (downtown)
• 101 Main Street North (Carillon)

St Pete Safety Advisory by ABC Action News

The city is advising residents and businesses near the construction sites to either relocate or shelter in place.

3:10 p.m.

The city of Clearwater said it would restrict potable water service, remove traffic signal boxes, and take lift stations offline for Island Estates, Clearwater Beach, and Sand Key ahead of Hurricane Milton.

The restrictions will take effect at 7 p.m. Tuesday, when the Barrier Islands in Pinellas County will be closed. Clearwater officials asked anyone who hasn't evacuated to do so now.

This story is developing and will be updated as we get more information.