On Wednesday, the storm that affected Florida produced waves up to 10 feet high and endangered millions with flooding.
Hurricane Milton killed at least 9 people and caused global property damage across Florida, affecting some of the areas also hit by Hurricane Helene last month. Here’s a look at what we know about its impact and key points about what experts are saying about the storm, which was feared to be one of the deadliest in the state’s history.
1. What was the impact of Hurricane Milton?
Hurricane Milton had a significant and wide-ranging impact on the areas it affected Many houses were destroyed, leaving families without shelter. Roads were flooded or blocked by debris, making it hard for emergency services to reach those in need. This damage disturbed daily life and created challenges for residents trying to rebuild. The storm forced thousands of people to leave their homes. Many had to seek shelter in temporary housing, such as schools or community centers. hurricane raised various health issues. Flooding can lead to waterborne diseases, and the stress of displacement can affect mental health, Local businesses faced major setbacks as the storm disrupted operations. Many shops were damaged, leading to lost income and jobs for employees.
2. How bad were the storm surges?
One of the major risks posed by Milton was that its winds would push large volumes of seawater from Tampa Bay into the city. When the storm made landfall, the storm’s worst surge hit Sarasota County, where it was 8-10 feet (2.5 to 3 meters) — less than Helene’s worst waves two weeks earlier. But flooding has been severe in many places – Plant City, just outside Tampa, received more than 13 inches (33 cm) of rain, leaving neighborhoods submerged. “We have flooding in many places and at a level that I’ve never seen before, and I’ve lived in this community my whole life,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said in a video posted online Thursday morning.
3. What impact have the tornadoes had?
A sudden shift in winds can trigger “tornadoes” when a storm approaches, but the number and ferocity of the tornadoes triggered by Milton were unusually high, experts say.
In St. Lucie County on Florida’s east coast, four people have been confirmed dead after a tornado struck a retirement home.
Florida has more tornadoes per square mile than any other state but is usually quite weak. The strength of the tornadoes triggered by Milton is similar to those often seen in the US Great Plains.
4. What’s the biggest threat now?
Milton has now spread across Florida and is heading north to the Atlantic Ocean, just north of the Bahamas. It has left behind 3 million people without power, impassable roads, broken bridges, and swollen rivers due to heavy rainfall. An estimated 11 million people are at risk of flooding as this rainwater flows through swollen rivers, with officials warning people that the danger is not over yet. Joe Biden, who warned that Milton could be the “storm of the century,” joined local officials in urging people to stay indoors and off the roads. “Down power lines, debris, and washed-out roads are creating dangerous conditions,” Biden posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. “Help is on the way, but until it arrives, stay in a safe place until your local officials say it’s safe.”
5. What are the long-term consequences of the last few weeks?
In just two weeks, the U.S. has been devastated by two major hurricanes, Helene and Milton, killing hundreds of people and causing billions of dollars in damage across six states. Many places, such as North Carolina, are still without power or running water since the first storm, and people in Florida, hit by both storms, face similarly long recovery periods that could take months or even years.