The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that the storm tracked to the south in the final hours and made landfall in Siesta Key near Sarasota, about 112 kilometers south of Tampa. The situation in the Tampa area was still a major emergency as St. Petersburg recorded over 41 centimeters of rain. Hurricane Milton had peaked at Category 5 before hitting Florida and gradually being downgraded to Category 3 and then Category 2,  three hours after landfall.

The NHC warned that Hurricane Milton is causing "once-in-a-lifetime" rainfall in many areas of Florida, such as Tampa Bay, Fort Myers, Venice and Naples. The authorities in Tampa Bay announced a flood emergency 2 hours after the storm made landfall and temporarily suspended all emergency services as heavy rain and wind posed danger to rescue forces. Other places such as McKay Creek, Clearwater Beach, Baskin, and Sarasota also recorded 300-400mm of rain, equivalent to several months’ worth.

Florida has mobilized 50,000 electrical workers to repair electricity problems, said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Stay indoors and off the roads. Floodwaters and the storm remain extremely dangerous. There will be a lot of debris in floodwaters so stay where you are until the storm passes.”

Hurricane Milton is the third tropical storm to hit Florida this year. It is forecast that after weakening in the western Atlantic, Hurricane Milton will continue to cause dangerous conditions at sea.