Hurricane Milton has left a massive path of destruction in Florida, with over 3 million people without power and rescue operations unfolding across the state. The storm made landfall near Siesta Key as a Category 3 hurricane late Wednesday, unleashing powerful winds, dangerous flooding, and a wave of tornadoes that have devastated entire communities. With the storm now downgraded to a Category 1 and moving off the east coast, rescue teams are working tirelessly to aid those trapped by the storm’s aftermath.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that over 125 active rescue missions are underway across 26 counties, with 48 people already brought to safety. “The storm was significant, but thankfully, this was not the worst-case scenario,” DeSantis noted, while acknowledging the widespread damage.
Tornadoes caused by the storm have been especially destructive on Florida’s east coast, resulting in four deaths in St. Lucie County alone and leaving a trail of destruction throughout the region. The county has seen 17 confirmed tornadoes, with ongoing rescue missions and hundreds of homes reduced to rubble.
The impact of Milton has been felt across the state, from Sarasota’s storm surge, reaching up to 10 feet, to the heavy flooding and rainfall affecting the Tampa Bay area. In just 24 hours, parts of Pinellas and coastal Hillsborough counties recorded up to 18 inches of rain, and the aftermath has been severe. In Plant City, east of Tampa, City Manager Bill McDaniel described the flooding as “staggering,” noting that rescue operations there saved 35 individuals trapped in flooded homes overnight.
Infrastructure has taken a heavy hit as well. Tampa’s skyline was marked by the dramatic collapse of a construction crane into the office building that houses the Tampa Bay Times headquarters, while in St. Petersburg, the roof of Tropicana Field was ripped open by the hurricane’s intense winds. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor highlighted concerns over continued flooding, stressing that high tides on Thursday could push rivers over their banks, adding to the already dire conditions.
Across the state, the focus has shifted to assessing the damage and beginning recovery efforts. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies are urging residents to stay off the roads to allow emergency crews to restore order and repair damage. With downed power lines, fallen trees, and debris scattered across streets, safety remains a priority as the clean-up process begins.
President Biden, who declared Florida a disaster area before the hurricane’s arrival, has been in contact with Governor DeSantis, assuring that federal assistance will continue to support Florida’s response and recovery efforts. Duke Energy, one of the state’s major power providers, reported over 800,000 customers without power, spread across 35 counties. The company is deploying crews on the ground, in helicopters, and using drones to assess the full extent of damage and begin restoring power as soon as conditions allow.
As rescue operations continue and residents assess the damage to their homes and communities, the threat of rising waters remains a significant concern. Governor DeSantis has warned that water levels along central Florida’s rivers are still increasing and could reach flood stage in the coming days, adding another layer of risk for residents and first responders.
Just hours before #HurricaneMilton is set to strike Florida, residents in several neighborhoods have witnessed an eerie spectacle
Groups of Sandhill cranes gathering and emitting sharp, urgent calls, as if signaling the need to flee#Miltonpic.twitter.com/ECMaC5t4hi
— BlueGreen Planet (@De_le_Vega) October 9, 2024
For many Floridians, Milton’s arrival came on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which battered the state just weeks ago. The two back-to-back storms have tested the resilience of local communities, but they have also highlighted the dedication of first responders and the solidarity among neighbors. As Florida moves into the recovery phase, the state faces a long road ahead to rebuild and recover from Hurricane Milton’s devastating strike.
