Hurricane Milton caused widespread destruction across Florida, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The storm whipped up tornadoes, cut power for over 3.3 million customers, and put 11 million people at risk of flooding. At least 11 deaths have been confirmed, with areas like St. Lucie County, St. Petersburg, Volusia County, and Citrus County among the hardest hit.
The storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in Siesta Key and caused significant damage as it moved across the state. Homes were submerged, roads were destroyed, and debris was scattered everywhere. Some areas experienced intense winds and record-breaking rainfall.
Despite the damage, the storm surge was not as severe as initially feared, leading Governor Ron DeSantis to describe the situation as not the worst-case scenario. Thousands of federal personnel, including members of the Coast Guard, have been deployed to assist in the recovery efforts.
More than 80,000 people sought shelter during the storm, and search and rescue teams have been working to save families and pets trapped in the aftermath. President Joe Biden assured residents that help was on the way and urged them to stay indoors until local officials deemed it safe.
As Hurricane Milton weakens and moves away from the coast, the focus now shifts to recovery and rebuilding efforts. The storm made landfall just 13 days after Hurricane Helene, which also caused significant damage and fatalities in the region.
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