Fox Weather correspondent Robert Ray smashed by Hurricane Milton winds: ‘Nothing matches this’

A live weather cross quickly became painful to watch as a weatherman faced the wrath of Hurricane Milton.

Fox Weather correspondent Robert Ray has braved the storm in a frightening broadcast as Hurricane Milton made its devastating approach to Florida’s west coast.

Trudging out with a microphone in hand with winds gusting over 130km/h and relentless sheets of rain, Ray described Milton as the most ferocious storm he’s seen this season.

In the raw broadcast, Ray struggled to hold his footing as rain pelted him and powerful winds howled through the microphone.

The rain shifted and forced him to recoil as he warned viewers of how the intensity of the storm would spike unexpectedly.

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“This is as bad as anything I’ve experienced this hurricane season by far. Nothing matches the wind gusts we are enduring right now,” he said.

“And believe me, they’ll change. Snap your fingers and close your eyes and it all will change.

“Absolutely menacing. Remarkable energy. It’s painful to stand out here.”

Hurricane Milton, which hit land classed as a Category 3 storm, has produced winds reaching up to 230 km/h and has prompted evacuations along Florida’s coastline.

Tidal surges are expected to inundate western Florida’s heavily populated and low-lying Gulf Coast amid fears of widespread chaos and possible fatalities.

Trudging out with a microphone in hand with winds gusting over 130km/h and relentless sheets of rain, Ray described Milton as the most ferocious storm he’s seen this season.

‘It’s painful to stand out here.’

Milton is later expected to rip through inland areas to the Atlantic Ocean, with tourist hub Orlando — home to Walt Disney World — in its path.

In cities up and down Florida’s western coast, the wind howled furiously and torrential rain fell as frightened people took shelter wherever they could.

In the city of Sarasota, gusts of wind blow panes of glass from buildings on the waterfront. Trees swayed almost horizontal, barely able to withstand the wind. Businesses were shuttered and sandbagged.

Waves crash along St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Hurricane Milton exploded in strength October 7 to become a potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm bound for Florida.

Just before landfall, Governor Ron DeSantis said it was too late and too dangerous to evacuate anyone so people had to stay put and weather the storm wherever they were.

“Stay inside and stay off the roads. Flood waters and rushing storm surge are very dangerous,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has approved requests to declare a federal disaster in Florida.

The declaration unlocks resources to help efforts including individual financial aid, disaster supplies including food and water, and mobilising the National Guard.

“In preparation for tonight’s landfall, I have approved emergency declaration requests from the State and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, The official POTUS X account stated.

Originally published as Fox Weather correspondent Robert Ray smashed by Hurricane Milton winds: ‘Nothing matches this’