Hurricane Milton Strikes Florida as Category 3 Storm, Prompting Nationwide Emergency Response

Hurricane Milton makes landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm, a significant event bringing sustained winds near 115 mph and a storm surge of up to 8 feet, according to Fox News live coverage.

National Weather Service notes the storm is part of a “very active start” to the 2026 severe weather season, marking the first major hurricane of the year and prompting widespread tornado watches across the southeastern United States.

United Nations climate officials warn that a strong El Niño is heightening flood and heat risks, meaning storms like Milton could cause amplified damage and complicate recovery efforts across vulnerable coastal communities.

ReliefWeb includes Hurricane Milton in its September 3‑9 global weather hazards summary, flagging the storm as a high‑impact event and urging international aid groups to coordinate response efforts for displaced residents.