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. on Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with estimated wind speeds of 120 mph.

USA TODAY and Sarasota Herald-Tribune reporter Zac Anderson kayaked to Siesta Key to tour and photograph the destruction. See the photos below.

Where is Siesta Key, Florida?

Siesta Key is a barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, Florida.

Siesta Key is about 236 miles away from Steinhatchee where Hurricane Debby came ashore in August and about 255 miles away from Keaton Beach, where Hurricane Idalia struck in August 2023.

When Milton hit, residents of Siesta Key were still dealing with the damaging winds and massive storm surge from Helene less than two weeks ago, which left feet of sand piled up around houses and cars, and severely damaged buildings along the coast.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Claire Reid contributed to this report.