Florida faces strong winds and flooding.
Florida faces torrential rains, tornadoes and floods.
Two and a half million homes are without electricity.
The meteorological services measured winds reaching 165 km/h.
The hurricane is classified in category 3 out of 5those of devastating cyclones, and the authorities warn of a mortal danger.
Hurricane Milton is crossing the American peninsula from west to east and is expected to pass near the city of Orlando where the Disney World theme park has closed its doors.
Flood alerts are in effect in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa where the airport is shut down.
The hurricane arrived from the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in Saratosa where planes were also grounded.
The authorities have appealed for extreme caution.
Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida: “Stay indoors and don’t go on the roads. Flood waters and storm surges are very dangerous. If you find yourself in Sarasota, Manatee, in some of these areas where the eye of the storm is heading, things may calm down for a minute. Understand that this means you are in the eye of the storm. The storm will pick up again and become very violent very soon. Do not go out until it is safe.
Hurricane Milton crosses Florida two weeks after the passage of tropical cyclone Hélène in the southern United States. 236 people were killeds in bad weather, including 15 in Florida.