Hurricane Milton caused significant devastation across Florida, leaving more than 4 million people without power and leading to at least 17 deaths in eight counties. The storm initially reached Category 5 status in the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall as a Category 3 near Sarasota. Evacuation orders were issued for around 6 million residents before the hurricane arrived, with officials warning of a potentially unsurvivable storm surge around Tampa Bay. However, the city was spared from a significant surge as the storm weakened and tracked south of the area, resulting in a water rise of 5-10 feet between Bradenton and Englewood.
Despite the storm not playing out as the worst-case scenario, the tornado outbreak caused by Hurricane Milton resulted in more than a dozen deaths and significant damage. Rescuers were able to save around 1,000 people and 100 animals from debris and floodwaters. Thousands of utility crews worked tirelessly to restore power, with more than a million customers having their power restored less than 24 hours after landfall. Governor Ron DeSantis stated that approximately 50,000 linemen were working to restore power, especially in the Tampa metro area, which was heavily impacted by downed trees and power lines.
In addition to the hurricane-force winds and storm surge, Hurricane Milton produced at least 50 tornadoes, including a significant twister that destroyed part of a senior community in St. Lucie County. First responders worked to rescue victims trapped in debris, and the National Weather Service indicated that some twisters may have been classified as EF-3 or higher on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. FEMA’s resources have been strained by recent disasters, including wildfires and hurricanes, but the Department of Homeland Security assured that future disasters would receive a timely response.
With hurricane season running through November 30, recovery efforts in the Southeast are still ongoing following the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton. The storm’s intensity made it the fifth-strongest cyclone on record in the Atlantic Basin. As the FOX Hurricane Center noted, there are no immediate threats on the horizon, allowing for uninterrupted recovery efforts in the affected communities. Despite the challenges faced by FEMA due to the multiple disasters, funding and personnel will be adjusted according to the needs of the American people, ensuring a continued response to ongoing recovery efforts.
