Hurricane Milton, which hit the Florida coast on Wednesday night (9), has already killed at least 11 people and left a trail of destruction, with floods, strong winds and power cuts that affected millions of residents. . The storm, which made landfall on the west coast of Florida as a Category 3 hurricane, had winds of up to 205 km/h when it made landfall on Siesta Key, near the city of Sarasota.
Among the fatalities, five died in St. Lucie County, on the east coast, as a result of tornadoes formed before the hurricane’s arrival. Four more deaths were confirmed in Volusia County, and two people lost their lives in St. Petersburg, on the West Coast. Search and rescue teams continue to work in the worst-affected areas, and local authorities warn that the death toll could rise as damage is assessed.
As of Thursday afternoon, at least 340 people and 49 pets had already been rescued in Florida, according to Governor Ron DeSantis, of the Republican Party. The Florida National Guard, local law enforcement and search and rescue teams continue to work throughout the state. DeSantis said that while some more pessimistic predictions have not come to fruition, there is still serious damage and challenges ahead. About 280 traffic signals remain inoperative, and crews continue to assess the damage.
The governor expressed confidence in the state’s ability to recover quickly, however, authorities still warn of the persistence of flooding and storms.
In addition to the tragic human losses, the material damage caused by Milton could have a significant financial impact. Preliminary estimates indicate that insurers could face losses of up to $60 billion, making Milton one of the costliest hurricanes in recent U.S. history. The destruction caused by the phenomenon includes hundreds of damaged or destroyed homes, as well as critical infrastructure such as power grids and roads.
Milton has already lost strength and has now been classified as a post-tropical cyclone by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), however, it continues to generate tropical storm conditions in parts of the southeastern United States, that is, even weakened, Milton is causing rain intense, moderate winds and flooding.
Local officials and President Joe Biden have urged residents in affected areas to stay home until it is safe to go out, due to dangers on the roads and the possibility of further landslides and flooding.
Milton is the second major hurricane to hit Florida in less than two weeks, following the devastating passage of Hurricane Helene, which left more than 250 people dead in the southeast of the country at the end of September. Experts believe the hurricane will leave a lasting legacy in terms of financial costs and recovery for the affected regions.
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