FORT MYERS, Fla. — A suspected tornado ripped through parts of Fort Myers on Wednesday afternoon, leaving behind serious damage just hours before Hurricane Milton makes landfall on the western coast.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office posted damage from different parts of Fort Myers, which included destruction in the 1st Precinct near Pondella Road and Forsyth Drive in the northern part of the city, as well as Lakewood Shores.
The powerful storm left homes torn apart and debris scattered across the streets, as seen below in photos posted by the Sheriff's Office:
Hurricane Milton has spawned an outbreak of tornadoes across the state that has caused severe damage across Florida.
Numerous tornadoes across the state were caught on camera, including a massive twister that crossed Alligator Alley on Interstate 75. Despite the high-profile nature of the storm, meteorologists won't have an exact tornado touchdown total until after the storm has passed.
More on Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton has slightly weakened to a Category 3 storm as it approaches Florida's west coast, the National Hurricane Center said. Now is the time to "rush to complete all preparations to protect life and property," the NHC said.
Milton came on the scene on Saturday as a tropical storm. Early Monday morning, Milton kicked off a rapid intensification starting as a Category 2 storm. It had waffled between Category 4 and 5 strength since Tuesday.
The NHC says landfall is expected to be sometime Wednesday night along the Gulf Coast.
A hurricane warning is in effect for:
- Florida west coast from Bonita Beach northward to Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay
- Florida east coast from the St. Lucie/Martin County Line northward to Ponte Vedra Beach
A hurricane watch has been issued for the following:
- Dry Tortugas
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida west coast from Chokoloskee to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida east coast north of Ponte Vedra Beach to the mouth of the St. Marys River
- Florida east coast from the St. Lucie/Martin County Line to the Palm Beach/Martin County Line
A tropical storm warning is in place for:
- Florida Keys, including Dry Tortugas and Florida Bay
- Lake Okeechobee
- Florida west coast from Flamingo to south of Bonita Beach
- Florida west coast from north of Suwanee River to Indian Pass
- Florida east coast south of the St. Lucie/Martin County Line to Flamingo
- North of Ponte Vedra Beach Florida to the Savannah River
- Extreme northwestern Bahamas, including Grand Bahama Island, the Abacos, and Bimini
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the following:
- North of the Savannah River to South Santee River South Carolina
A storm surge warning is in effect for:
- Florida west coast from Flamingo northward to Yankeetown, including Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay
- Sebastian Inlet Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia, including the St. Johns River
Our 10 Tampa Bay Weather team will continue to monitor any development and keep you informed, prepared and connected through the rest of hurricane season.
