The hurricane's approach prompted a state of emergency declaration across 51 of Florida's 67 counties. At least three million people throughout the region were left without electricity.

Hurricane Milton caused significant flight cancellations. Flight tracking website FlightAware.com revealed that over 2,200 flights within, into, or out of the United States were canceled on Thursday. Airlines issued travel advisories, while cruise lines adjusted itineraries to avoid the storm's path. Major Florida ports hwere closed, including Port Tampa Bay, Port Canaveral, and JaxPort, after the Coast Guard said it is placing them under "Port Condition Zulu," which means no vessels can go in or out of the port.

As a result, cruise lines serving Florida are changing itineraries, adding days to voyages and avoiding the path of Milton for the safety of passengers. Theme parks, including Walt Disney World, closed operations to ensure safety.

According to Weather.com, the torrential downpours and winds of 120 mph that Milton brought Wednesday night were enough to rip the roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, which had been set up to shelter thousands of first responders and cleanup crews. .