Photos: Downtown Sarasota After Hurricane Milton's Landfall
Image: © Barbara Banks
Hurricane Milton—one of the five most intense hurricanes in recorded history—slammed into Sarasota County near Siesta Key on Wednesday night around 8 p.m.
Milton, which intensified from a Category 1 storm to a Category 5 storm in just one day, became the fifth hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast this year, after Beryl, Debby, Francine and Helene, which our area is still recovering from. A Category 3 when it made landfall, the storm packed howling 120-mile-per-hour winds, lashing rain, storm surge and flooding to the area.
Today, as we began taking stock of the storm's damage and start the recovery process, longtime Sarasota Magazine contributing photographer Barbara Banks, a downtown resident, ventured out to capture some of Milton's aftermath. Here's what she saw.
Image: © Barbara Banks
Businesses hurried to complete preparations, including boarding up storefronts, ahead of the storm's landfall.
Image: © Barbara Banks
A lone computer keyboard on the street in the aftermath of Milton on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Image: © Barbara Banks
Residents awoke to widespread debris and tree damage, including in downtown Sarasota and at Owen's Fish Camp in Burns Court.
Image: © Barbara Banks
Milton's powerful wind and surge washed boats ashore at Marina Jack.
Image: © Barbara Banks
Image: © Barbara Banks
In the two photos above, another boat pushed on land blocks the entrance to Marina Jack.
Image: © Barbara Banks
Milton's winds ripped down awnings at Soto Opticians and Friends Jewelers on Main Street.
Image: © Barbara Banks
Debris and more downed awnings littered the street and sidewalk in front of El Melvin.
Image: © Barbara Banks
Image: © Barbara Banks
A steel-hull boat was relocated due to Milton's hurricane-force wind and surge.
