Hurricane Milton Wreaks Havoc in Florida: Over 3 Million Homes Lose Power

Hurricane Milton has left a trail of destruction as it moved past Florida, causing widespread power outages, tornadoes, and significant flooding. As of Thursday morning, over 3 million homes and businesses are without power as the hurricane’s impact continues to be felt across the state. Despite being downgraded to a Category 1 storm, Milton’s powerful winds and heavy rains remain a major threat.

Hurricane Milton’s Path of Destruction

Milton landed near Siesta Key, Florida, on Wednesday night as a Category 3 hurricane, packing winds of up to 120 mph. The storm moved inland, battering central Florida and leaving millions without power. The National Hurricane Center warned that despite the storm’s downgrade, damaging winds and heavy rains would continue to threaten the state’s east-central region.

The storm’s impact was severe from the beginning. Tornadoes spawned by the hurricane hit Florida’s St. Lucie County, resulting in multiple fatalities. By Wednesday evening, tornado warnings were in effect for most of central and southern Florida, with officials urging people to take shelter immediately.

Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage

By Thursday morning, more than 3 million Floridians were without power, a number that surged overnight as the hurricane progressed. PowerOutage.US, a site that tracks power outages, reported a significant rise in outages across the state, with nearly a million more homes losing electricity in just a few hours.

In downtown St. Petersburg, a massive crane collapsed and smashed into a building due to the strong winds, causing significant damage. Fortunately, no injuries were report from this incident. The crane was part of a construction project for a 515-foot-tall luxury high-rise building, and local fire officials worked quickly to control the situation.

Additionally, part of the roof of Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, was destroy by high winds. Despite the damage, officials confirmed that everyone inside the stadium was safe.

Ongoing Risks and Weather Warnings

Although Hurricane Milton has moved past Florida’s east coast, the National Hurricane Center warns residents of ongoing risks. The storm still produces damaging hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall, which could lead to life-threatening flash floods in certain areas. The storm’s center is moving inland through Central Florida, but its outer bands continue to lash the state with strong winds and rain.

Residents are urge to remain vigilant and stay indoors, as the danger is far from over. Tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain will continue to impact large parts of the state, and tornado warnings remain in effect for central and southern Florida. The risk of strong tornadoes is expect to persist through the night.

Storm Surge and Flooding

One of the most dangerous aspects of Hurricane Milton was the storm surge, which caused severe flooding in coastal areas. The National Hurricane Center warned that storm surges along Florida’s western and eastern coasts could reach as high as 13 feet in some areas. The combination of the surge and high tide has led to flooding in typically dry areas.

Storm surges have already reached 9 to 13 feet above ground level in areas like Anna Maria Island and Boca Grande. Tampa Bay has also seen significant flooding, with water levels rising as high as nine feet in some places. Residents in affected areas were urge to evacuate early, and many have sought refuge in shelters.

Political and Emergency Responses

As the storm approached, President Joe Biden called Hurricane Milton a “matter of life and death” and urged Floridians to evacuate immediately. Biden postponed a planned trip abroad to oversee the federal response to the hurricane and has been in close contact with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Despite some political disagreements between Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor DeSantis, state and federal officials have been working together to coordinate relief efforts. Biden emphasized the importance of evacuating and taking the storm seriously. At the same time, DeSantis has focused on ensuring that evacuation orders are follow and that emergency services are in place to respond to the aftermath of the hurricane.

Travel and Business Closures

Hurricane Milton has greatly impacted travel in and out of Florida. Tampa International Airport and Orlando International Airport closed in anticipation of the storm, leaving thousands of travellers stranded. By Wednesday morning, more than 1,700 flights had been cancel, with Orlando seeing the highest number of cancellations.

Major tourist attractions like Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Resort Orlando, Legoland, and SeaWorld were also close due to the storm. These closures are expect to cause significant financial losses, particularly for Disney, which was predicted to take a nine-figure hit from the hurricane.

The “Waffle House Index,” a measure used to gauge the severity of natural disasters, reached red as Waffle House locations across Florida closed ahead of the storm. This unusual move indicates the local area will require significant recovery efforts after the hurricane.

Recovery and Relief Efforts

As Florida reels from the impact of Hurricane Milton, recovery efforts are already underway. Emergency crews have been deploy nationwide to restore power and clear debris. However, the destruction’s scale means it will take time to assess the damage and begin rebuilding fully.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also been actively involve in the relief efforts, working to assist those affected by the storm. However, FEMA has faced challenges, including dealing with false information about the agency’s response to previous storms like Hurricane Helene, which hit Florida just two weeks ago.

The Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Milton is the second major hurricane to hit Florida in two weeks. Hurricane Helene, which struck the state on September 26, left a trail of devastation across the southeastern United States, killing at least 20 people in Florida and causing severe flooding in North Carolina. The recovery from Helene is still ongoing, with many communities in Florida still clearing debris and rebuilding after the storm.

The back-to-back hurricanes have stretched the state’s resources, with emergency services working around the clock to respond to the needs of affected residents. Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, issued mandatory evacuation orders for areas near Tampa Bay in anticipation of Hurricane Milton, and other counties followed suit.

Looking Ahead

As Hurricane Milton moves away from Florida, the focus will shift to recovery and rebuilding. The full extent of the damage is not yet known, but it is clear that the storm has had a significant impact on the state. With millions still without power and many areas flooded, it will take time for Florida to return to normal.

Residents are urge to remain cautious and follow any advice from local authorities regarding safety and evacuation. Emergency crews are working to restore power and clear roads, but it will take time to assess the damage and begin the recovery process fully.

While the storm may have passed, the effects of Hurricane Milton will be felts in Florida for weeks to come. The state’s residents and officials are preparing for a long and challenging road to recovery. Still, with the support of federal and state agencies, they will work together to rebuild and recover from this devastating hurricane.