Florida Begins Recovery from Hurricane Milton Amid Ongoing Flooding, Power Outages, and Tornado Damage

As Florida begins to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton, major airports and tourist attractions reopened on Friday. However, the impact of the storm remains significant, with rescue crews actively saving individuals from floodwaters while over 2 million homes and businesses are still without power.

Hurricane Milton made landfall as a powerful Category 3 hurricane, bringing 120 mph winds and extensive damage to both coastal and inland areas, leading to blackouts and widespread destruction.

The hurricane not only caused severe flooding and property damage but also resulted in a deadly tornado outbreak that claimed at least six lives in St. Lucie County on the east coast. The National Weather Service has been surveying the damage to determine the exact number of tornadoes spawned by the storm, which has been linked to a total of at least 17 fatalities across the state.

While the Tampa Bay area managed to avoid the worst impacts of storm surge due to a shift in the storm’s path, it still experienced significant damage, including a crane collapse downtown and roof damage at Tropicana Field.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged the considerable damage during a news conference, stating that the state was fortunate to avoid a worst-case scenario but still faces substantial recovery efforts.

Utility companies continue to work on restoring power, with nearly 2 million customers still in the dark as of Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, 19 school districts reopened, with additional districts expected to follow suit on Monday, as damage assessments reveal less destruction than initially feared in some areas.

President Joe Biden estimated the storm’s damage could reach $50 billion and assured those affected that the federal government would provide the necessary support for recovery efforts.

More than 50,000 utility workers from various states and Canada are on the ground to assist with power restoration, having already helped restore electricity to about 1 million people. The President emphasized the government’s commitment to aiding the impacted communities as they begin to rebuild.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell highlighted the significant threat posed by tornadoes during her briefing, noting that over 30 tornadoes were spawned by Milton, causing extensive destruction beyond what was anticipated from the hurricane’s winds and storm surge. An emergency disaster declaration was filed by Governor DeSantis, which is expected to receive federal approval soon.

Criswell also raised concerns about the funding for long-term recovery projects, as meteorologists continue to monitor new weather systems that could potentially develop into further storms. Additionally, reports of large sinkholes have emerged in various parts of Florida, posing additional hazards to residents in the aftermath of Milton.