Power Restoration Progress After Hurricane Milton
According to poweroutages.us, over 2.1 million Florida residents were still without power as of Friday evening. However, officials reported that the state’s electrical grid had avoided significant damage, and they expected power to be restored shortly. Many Floridians, demonstrating resilience, returned to neighborhoods devastated by power outages and debris, while tens of thousands of emergency workers began addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
Less Severe Damage Than Expected
State officials revealed that the destruction caused by the storm, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Sarasota on Wednesday night, was not as catastrophic as initially feared. Forecasts of a catastrophic storm surge in Tampa Bay did not come to fruition. “We didn’t get the worst-case scenario, but we were hit,” said Governor Ron DeSantis during a Friday briefing.
Uneven Path of Destruction
Hurricane Milton left a patchwork of damage across Florida, flooding entire neighborhoods along the Gulf Coast while leaving others untouched. Tornadoes spawned by the storm demolished homes near the Atlantic Coast.
Shelters and New Hope
Pinellas County emergency management director, Cathie Perkins, reported that around 1,500 people remained in shelters, with more than 170 still there since Hurricane Helene struck two weeks earlier. Amidst the destruction, there was a bright moment when a baby girl was born in one of the shelters, bringing hope to those affected.
Tragic Death Toll and President’s Visit
Unfortunately, over a dozen deaths have been linked to Hurricane Milton, many occurring in areas that did not expect to bear the storm’s full impact. President Joe Biden announced plans to visit Florida on Sunday to survey the damage, which early estimates placed at around $50 billion.
Tornadoes and Storm Fatalities
Tornadoes spawned by Milton caused at least six fatalities in St. Lucie County, including residents of a mobile home retirement community, while others lost their homes in nearby Martin County. In addition, a man in Orange County died after stepping on a downed power line, and a woman in Tampa perished in a car accident where traffic signals had failed.
Rescue Operations and Storm Surge Relief
Despite early fears of a deadly storm surge, no fatalities from drowning have been reported. Governor DeSantis confirmed that over 1,600 people had been rescued by state and local emergency workers. He also condemned the spread of misinformation online about the hurricane and emergency response, calling it both “disgusting” and “dangerous.”
Recovery and Progress
Rescue operations continued in the hardest-hit areas, with aircraft and boats still working. St. Petersburg experienced 19 inches of rainfall, and there were nearly 50 reports of tornadoes. However, as Governor DeSantis mentioned, the situation had “stabilized,” and significant progress in recovery was being made.
Resilient Structures and Return to Normalcy
In Siesta Key, where Hurricane Milton made landfall, some historic cottages, which have stood for over 80 years, endured severe damage but remained standing. Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Myers airports resumed operations, while Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is expected to reopen on Wednesday. Commercial ports in Key West, Miami, and other regions also reopened, signaling the state’s slow return to normalcy. Utility companies estimate full power restoration by Tuesday.
The recovery is well underway, with local, state, and federal agencies working tirelessly to restore normalcy.