The National Hurricane Center says Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, with Sarasota-Bradenton region feeling strong effects.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Hurricane Milton brought powerful winds, a deadly storm surge and flooding to much of Florida after making landfall along the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm. It weakened to a Category 1 storm as it moved through Florida early Thursday. Power outages were widespread and deaths have been reported from severe weather.

Milton is forecast to make landfall Wednesday night near Sarasota, south of Tampa, as a low-end Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140 mph. Strong wind gusts over 100 mph are forecast for the Tampa area during the landfall.

Hurricane Milton will be a storm surge event unlike any hurricane in living memory for west-central Florida, said Dr. Ryan Truchelut.

These maps, graphics and videos show Hurricane Milton's route of destruction across Florida, plus flooding and power outages.