BRANDON, Fla. — Residents of Florida returning home after fleeing from Hurricane Milton faced long, congested highways, laden with exhaustion from their trips and the impending cleanup. Although many encountered significant damage, the prevailing sentiment was one of gratitude for their safety.
“I love my house, but I’m not dying in it,” said a resident while walking his dog during a break at a rest stop on Interstate 75 near Tampa. This storm struck Siesta Key as a powerful, Category 3 hurricane, prompting evacuations that led him and his wife to travel nearly 500 miles to safety in Destin on the Florida Panhandle. They received news from neighbors that their carport had been destroyed, but expressed confidence that their insurance would cover the losses.
In a nearby picnic area, two residents prepared sandwiches as their cars sat idle, awaiting parking spaces at a bustling rest area. Their home in Palmetto had sustained damage from a fallen tree, but they opted to evacuate due to fears the storm’s impact could have been more severe.
Milton claimed at least 10 lives as it swept through central Florida, causing flooding on barrier islands and damaging local infrastructure, including uprooting a stadium roof. Officials acknowledge that the situation could have been significantly worse without the extensive evacuations, likely influenced by the recent destruction from Hurricane Helene, which had struck just weeks prior.
“Helene likely provided a stark reminder of how vulnerable certain areas are to storms, particularly coastal regions,” noted a former Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator. Observing the consequences in neighboring areas likely influenced decisions to evacuate for Milton.
In Punta Gorda, the local mayor reported that only three rescues were necessary post-hurricane, a sharp contrast to previous storms. This reduction in rescues indicates that the evacuation orders were heeded, with authorities ensuring communication reached all communities.
By Saturday morning, fewer than 1.6 million residents were still without power. The city of St. Petersburg advised its citizens to boil water before use until at least Monday due to contamination risks.
Traffic congestion was prevalent on I-75, filled with evacuees returning home alongside utility trucks heading south. While Tampa experienced minimal impact, significant power outages persisted in the surrounding areas.
President Biden is expected to visit Florida’s Gulf Coast to assess the storm damage and plans to engage with local officials, including the governor. This visit underscores the administration’s push for timely congressional support to bolster funding for recovery efforts during the ongoing hurricane season.
As recovery efforts unfold, caution remains paramount. Officials warn of ongoing hazards such as downed power lines and unseen dangers in standing water. They stress the importance of prioritizing safety during this recovery phase.
Meteorologists predict that rising rivers could lead to flooding in the days ahead, particularly in areas that experienced heavy rainfall during the hurricane’s passage. Thankfully, the forecast promises a temporary reprieve from additional rain.
In Pinellas County, local law enforcement utilized high-water vehicles to assist residents in accessing their homes in flood-stricken neighborhoods. One family returning home expressed uncertainty about the extent of the damage they would find.
As the community comes together to recover from Hurricane Milton, vigilance and care will remain essential in navigating the aftermath of this devastating storm.
