Florida has endured yet another devastating hurricane, this time in the form of Hurricane Milton, just two weeks after being battered by Hurricane Helene. The Category 3 storm slammed into the state late Wednesday, unleashing a torrent of destruction before roaring into the Atlantic.
In its wake, Milton left behind a trail of death, destruction, and heartbreak. The powerful hurricane brought with it multiple tornadoes, towering 28-foot waves, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and a devastating storm surge. After the storm subsided, officials confirmed 10 fatalities, warning that the death toll could rise as they continued to assess the damage.
The storm surge was particularly severe, inundating parts of Sarasota, Fort Myers, Venice, and other Gulf Coast cities with up to 10 feet of water. Tornadoes wreaked havoc, destroying buildings, including a sheriff’s department facility. Milton also dumped nearly two feet of rain in some areas along its northern side, causing significant inland flooding and exacerbating the storm surge on both coasts. In St. Petersburg, an astonishing nine inches of rain fell in just three hours on Wednesday evening.
The toll of Hurricane Milton is heartbreaking. Five people were killed when a tornado ripped through the Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce on the Atlantic Coast. In Volusia County, a 79-year-old woman in Ormond Beach and a 54-year-old woman in Port Orange lost their lives after trees crashed into their homes. In Tampa, the body of a woman in her 70s was discovered under a large tree branch on Thursday morning.
Following the storm’s landfall, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged the realization of their worst fears. While he expressed gratitude that the storm weakened before making landfall and the storm surge was less severe than Hurricane Helene, the devastation is undeniable.
US President Joe Biden also expressed his condolences, stating that he had spoken with Governor DeSantis and assured him that the federal government would provide all necessary assistance.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, residents are left to grapple with the loss of their homes, businesses, and livelihoods. As one 72-year-old resident told AFP, “It’s scary and heartbreaking at the same time, to see so much damage and all the things you really love just gone. But it’s only things, and we’re still here.”
The people of Florida now face the long and arduous task of rebuilding their lives and communities in the wake of this devastating hurricane. The road to recovery will be challenging, but with resilience and support, they will rebuild stronger than before.
