Access is restored to Siesta Key, a barrier island in Sarasota County where Hurricane Milton made landfall, and people are getting a first look at the storm’s aftermath

After evacuating to Fort Lauderdale for Hurricane Milton, Siesta Key resident Scott Giorgi was on the road before dawn Thursday, heading home to see what kind of damage a direct hit from a Category 3 storm would inflict.

After battering the west coast of Florida with winds, pounding rain and storm surge, Hurricane Milton roared onshore near Siesta Key at 8:30 p.m. as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with estimated wind speeds of 120 mph.