[5][6] Increasing wind shear caused the hurricane to weaken as it turned northeast towards Florida, falling to Category 3 status before making landfall near Siesta Key late on October 9.

[10] A broad area of low pressure formed in the western Caribbean, producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms[11] before degenerating into an open trough two days later.

[12] The disturbance then interacted with the remnants of an unnamed tropical storm in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and a stationary front,[13] and consolidated in the Bay of Campeche.

[6] The next day, October 9, increasing wind shear began to affect Milton, and the storm fell below Category 5 intensity early that morning.

[32] Milton quickly weakened over land and emerged over the Atlantic Ocean as a Category 1 hurricane while also becoming increasingly entangled within a nearby frontal boundary.

[36] On October 6, 2024, the Mexican government issued a tropical storm watch for the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, from Celestún to Cancún.

[43][44] The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) mobilized hundreds of workers and pieces of equipment to be placed in Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo in preparation for Milton.

[46] Non-essential government services, including public transportation, were suspended in parts of Yucatán as Milton rapidly intensified on October 7.

[83] The South Florida Bulls football game against the Memphis Tigers was postponed from October 11 to 12 and moved from Tampa to Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

The Florida Highway Patrol began escorting fuel tankers to help replenish gas stations ahead of landfall to aid in evacuation efforts.

The American Automobile Association advised Floridians to "take only what you need" and to avoid letting their gas tanks getting too low before looking for a place to fill up.

[94] There were casualties involved as a result of evacuating: one fatality occurred after a car accident in Marion County southeast of Orange Lake,[95] while three people were injured after the plane they were in crashed into Tampa Bay after its engine failed while taking off from Albert Whitted Airport in St.

[98] On October 7, 2024, Atlanta Motor Speedway opened its campground for evacuees with pop-up campers and tents with access to a complementary shower house, including those from Florida, in collaboration with the Henry County Emergency Management Agency.

[121] Dangerous storm surge and torrential rainfall impacted the state of Yucatán, with the seawall at Progreso being inundated by high waves.

Another missing boat, Peyucsa 12, was spotted a day later from a Mexican Navy plane, overturned about 133 mi (214 km) northeast of Progreso with one man on top.

[158] One elderly man from Charlotte County died from smoke inhalation in a Bradenton hospital after a golf cart lithium battery exploded at his home due to storm surge flooding.

[164][165] Tropicana Field, which had been set up to house first responders, lost a large part of its fiberglass roof as a result of wind gusts.

[166] The Tampa Bay Times building in downtown St. Petersburg was severely damaged when a construction crane from a nearby partially built skyscraper collapsed into it.

[181] Due to the combined impacts of Helene and Milton upon Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, the USL Championship team Tampa Bay Rowdies were forced to play their final two home games at IMG Academy's Soccer Complex in Bradenton.

[182] As Hurricane Milton approached Florida, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) outlined a slight risk convective outlook for much of southern Florida, observing that enhanced low to mid-level flow, dew points in the mid 70s, and favorable timing with peak daytime heating would lead to a conducive environment for tornadogenesis as Milton's outer convective bands swept the area.

[211] Following the tornadoes, the National Guard coordinated with local law enforcement and first responders to conduct rescue missions, provide immediate assistance, and clear debris from vital roads.

Additionally, Local organizations, citizen groups, churches, and individual volunteers helped with tornado relief efforts, providing supplies, temporary housing, and emotional support.

[212][213] Among the coordinated efforts, WPTV-TV partnered with several local businesses in St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach counties to fundraise for tornado victims.

[216] In South Carolina, wind gusts reached 40 mph (64 km/h) in Hilton Head Airport and Charleston Harbor, but impacts were also less than anticipated.

[224] There has also been mention that other celebrities have made contributions, such as Dolly Parton, Morgan Wallen, Blake Lively, Tom Brady and Metallica.

[227] Much of Cumberland Island National Seashore re-opened on October 12, although several trails in the northern segments of the park remained closed for damage assessments.

Biden met with state and local officials such as Senator Rick Scott, Representative Anna Paulina Luna, and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

Biden then departed the airport in a motorcade and traveled to St. Pete Beach where he met residents and first responders before giving a speech about the recovery efforts.

[235] As happened following Hurricane Helene, misinformation and conspiracy theories regarding Milton and the post-storm government response began spreading over social media.

FEMA responded by stating it was "deeply disturbed by this employee's actions" and claimed that the agency works to "help all survivors regardless of their political preference or affiliation.