ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Florida residents are beginning the difficult process of repairing the damage left by Hurricane Milton, which caused widespread destruction across coastal communities, ravaged homes, flooded streets, and unleashed a series of dangerous tornadoes.
At least eight fatalities have been reported, but many locals expressed relief that the storm was not as catastrophic as initially feared. Notably, Milton missed a direct hit on the heavily populated Tampa area, and the anticipated deadly storm surge did not materialize.
The hurricane, which struck just two weeks after Hurricane Helene, significantly impacted barrier islands, removed the roof from a major sports venue, and toppled a construction crane in the region.
As residents begin to evaluate the damage to their properties, over 2.5 million customers in Florida remain without power. However, the state’s vital tourism industry is slowly resuming normal operations, with several theme parks announcing plans to reopen.
A surge of vehicles traveled south on Interstate 75 Thursday evening, as emergency responders and evacuated residents returned to assess the aftermath. Truckloads of relief supplies and emergency vehicles were evident as communities worked to recover.
As residents rushed home to determine the fate of their properties, securing fuel proved challenging. Many gas stations were still closed far from the storm’s point of landfall, complicating the return journey for those affected.
Local families, like that of Natasha Ducre, are feeling lucky to be safe. Their home sustained severe damage, with the roof ripped off and belongings soaked and destroyed. They plan to stay with a relative while uncertain about their next steps.
“It’s devastating to lose what little we had,” Natasha expressed, reflecting on the uncertainty looming over their future.
In the wake of the hurricane, major Florida theme parks, including prominent destinations, have confirmed they will reopen following safety evaluations.
Orlando International Airport, the busiest in the state, resumed domestic flights and began international departures, with only minor damage from the storm.
Meanwhile, visitors like Simon Forster and his family found themselves with unexpected extra time in Florida due to flight delays caused by the hurricane. Reflecting on their situation, he noted, “There are worse places we could be.”
As recovery efforts continue, Florida faces a significant rebuilding challenge in the wake of Hurricane Milton.
