Hurricane Milton landed on the Florida Gulf Coast Tuesday night and brought in extensive threats of damaging winds, storm surge, and even deadly flooding to many regions of Florida. Category 3 hurricane made a landfall near Siesta Key with top sustained winds of 125-mph, that ranked it as one of the most powerful storms in the area during the past few decades.
When Milton proceeded inland, it wrought so much havoc and mayhem. According to the counties of Sarasota and Manatee, the damages were worst affected, with several structures, including homes, having been brought down. Sarasota was engaged by the complete obliteration of the popular Siesta Key Beach pavilion, not to mention the storm surge that flooded coastal residences and barrier islands.
Farther inland, the Tampa Bay region was flooded because Milton’s rain bands produced more than 15 inches in some areas. Hillsborough River flooded its banks, threatening people in downtown Tampa and requiring hundreds to be evacuated. St. Petersburg acknowledged its beloved pier being torn into by the wind and waves before partially collapsing.
By Wednesday morning, at least one point, three million customers in West Central Florida had no electricity. He asked utility companies to reveal that it might take weeks to completely restore electricity in the affected regions. It may take some time to compile a detailed list of damage. However, preliminary reports indicated that the losses in Milton could make Hurricane rank among the most expensive for Florida.
Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has placed 35 counties under a state of emergency and mobilized 5,000 National Guards to help with search-and-rescue operations. At a press conference on Wednesday, DeSantis described Milton as a ‘catastrophe’ and urged residents to obey all muster and emergency instructions.
The number of fatalities caused by the hurricane is still unknown, but there are at least 14 official casualties. These losses were concentrated around the coastline, where much of the worst storm surge took place. Emergency workers are going door to door through the rubble and flooded streets of the storm, hoping to find people alive.
President Joe Biden has authorized the FEMA director to deploy resources and funds to Florida following a major disaster declaration. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is down there now working on coordinating the federal response. So far, more than a thousand FEMA personnel have been dispatched to the state, and several thousands more are ready to be mobilized.
As Milton progressing northeast along Florida, it remains a threat to the weather system. For much of the peninsula, the National Hurricane Center says to expect tornadoes, flash flooding, and river flooding. It was a record high day on Tuesday with as many as 127 tornado warnings being provided due to the enduring threat of storms.
The hurricane is predicted to form over the Atlantic by Thursday morning and may restrengthen before affecting the Carolinas. People living along the Southeast coast are being encouraged to follow the progression of Milton and be ready to evacuate if necessary.
In the case of Miltons residents of Florida that were affected their way to recovery will not be easy. Governor and federal authorities are urging people to remain calm and avoid action that may lead to more problems in the post-storm situation. People are encouraged not to go to flooded areas, should be cautious when approaching power lines on the ground, and must obey all instructions of local officials.
Just as Milton’s influence becomes more well-rounded the whole of the repercussion of this hurricane will indeed be one that will etch the Florida Gulf Coast for a long time. Communities that have suffered from the storm will be under pressure in the next several days as the state will start a long process of rebuilding.