Milton aims for Florida

This live blog covered the impacts of Hurricane Milton as it approached and then made landfall along Florida's west coast.

Hurricane Milton will continue to track east to northeast across the Florida Peninsula. It is forecast to maintain hurricane strength, bringing dangerous conditions to a large swath of central Florida. Continue to track this system on the WeatherRadar. This is the final update on this Live Blog.

Hurricane Milton makes landfall near Siesta Key, Fla., with maximum sustained winds of about 120 mph, Category 3.

The WeatherRadar shows that Milton is close to making landfall along the coast of west-central Florida. Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains are occurring across portions of central and southwestern Florida.

Power outages now amount to more than 514,000 homes and businesses across Florida and are growing as the highest winds from Milton move ashore.

Storm surge is piling up near Port Charlotte. We'll keep you updated as Milton nears landfall.

Here are some of the peak wind gusts observed so far.

Our Weather Reporter is in Punta Gorda where storm surge is quickly building in. Watch the live stream here or at the link at the top of this blog.

The number of power outages has surged. As of this update, more than 262,000 Florida homes and businesses are without power. Some areas may be without power for weeks.

Our Weather Reporter interviewed two women who were having trouble finding shelter from the storm. Storm surge is already starting to impact Venice, and much more water is on the way.

The latest estimates have Milton making landfall just north of Sarasota. Up to 10 feet of storm surge will be possible for areas 40 miles south of landfall.

More than 86,000 homes and businesses are without power across Florida as tropical storm force winds push in.

So far, 53 tornado warnings have been reported, with 41 issued by the National Weather Service Office in Miami, a new record for one day. The tropical-driven tornado outbreak is expected to continue into the afternoon and evening as Milton's outer bands lash Florida.

The Florida Department of Transportation announced about an hour ago that the Sunshine Skyway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, Gandy Causeway and Courtney Campbell Causeway are all closed.

Power outages are growing across Florida. Currently, more than 38,000 homes and businesses are without power, and that number will continue to grow.

Florida Highway Patrol in Tampa found a dog tied to a post. Please remember to take care of your pets. There are shelters and hotels that allow pets. If you are staying for the storm, bring them inside with the rest of the family.

A tornado has been confirmed in Matlacha, Fla. The National Weather Service Office in Miami has confirmed at least four tornadoes in South Florida.

Numerous tornadoes have been reported due to Milton. A tornado outbreak is underway. Take shelter immediately if there's a warning in your area.

Here's a map of potential tornado sightings so far today.

Tampa's Sky Bridge is now closed. Bridges to the western Keys are also closed ahead of Milton.

Time is running out for Florida residents to seek safety. Ambulances in Sarasota have been transporting nursing home residents to safety.

Keep an eye on the WeatherRadar as Milton closes in on Florida. These outer bands may become prolific tornado producers and the threat will grow into the afternoon.

Milton's outer bands are producing tornadoes over the Florida Peninsula this morning. The tornado threat is expected to grow this afternoon. Make sure your Weather & Radar app alerts are turned on.

Milton is a powerful category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph. Here are some of the expected impacts at landfall. Landfall is anticipated to be near Sarasota, but changes may be made to the forecast. We will keep you up to date on the latest.