Authorities in Florida are assessing the damage from Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm. It crossed the state, leaving at least a dozen people dead and a trail of destruction in its wake.

Florida

Hurricane Milton has made landfall as a Category Three system, causing tornadoes and widespread damage across parts of Florida.

Hurricane Milton

Authorities in Florida are continuing their efforts to assess the damage left in the wake of Hurricane Milton, which recently made landfall as a Category 3 storm. The hurricane resulted in at least a dozen fatalities and left a trail of destruction across the state. The affected areas are currently facing severe devastation, with high winds and record rainfall having contributed to the damage.

Residents like 33-year-old Olbin Cruz found themselves amidst the chaos, expressing distress over the severe conditions caused by the storm. Cruz described how his wife and children were trapped in their second-story apartment due to rising floodwaters, with rescue workers in the area prioritizing vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and pregnant women.

President Joe Biden has conveyed that recovery will be a substantial endeavor, requiring extensive time and financial resources. With damages expected to necessitate several billion dollars, the challenge ahead is acknowledged as formidable. The region in St. Petersburg is particularly hard-hit, having suffered from the effects of both Hurricane Milton and a previous hurricane, Helene, which struck just under two weeks prior.

Debris lines the streets in many neighborhoods, as residents, including Michaela Schack and her family, cope with the aftermath and prepare for the likelihood of another impending storm forecasted in the Atlantic. This ongoing situation highlights the persistent threat and vulnerability of the region to seasonal hurricanes.



Hurricane Milton aftermath: Rescue efforts continue in Florida

Hurricane Milton left pockets of devastation across the state of Florida. 33-year-old Olbin Cruz wonders why it had to be his family. It was terrible. There was so much wind, water and uncertainty. I was just thinking of my children. Hours after the storm had passed, his wife and children were still trapped inside their second-story apartment. He says the water was more than a meter high and still climbing. Rescue workers were in the area but prioritizing the elderly, sick and pregnant. People who could make it out alone carried whatever little they could salvage. We're in a state of shock, wondering how we survived this. Authorities say they expect Milton's death toll to climb. Along with 160 kilometers per hour winds and record rains, the hurricane spawned more than two dozen tornadoes. As damage assessments continue, President Joe Biden warned recovery would require time and money. This is going to be a long haul for total rebuilding. It's going to take several billion dollars. It's not going to be a matter of just a little bit. Debris lines the streets of this St. Petersburg neighborhood. But this destruction isn't just from Milton. Less than two weeks ago, Hurricane Helene hit this exact same area. And the people living here didn't even have a chance to clean up from one hurricane before the next one came. It was scary. Eight-year-old Michaela Schack rode out the storm with her parents and grandmother. Our main concern was to protect her. You know, she's our number one here. That's why Daddy took all the planning to get all the windows boarded up. And they'll remain boarded up until there's going to be another one coming in about a week. Another possible storm in the Atlantic already on forecasters' radars and on the family's mind. Heidi Jo Castro, Al Jazeera, Tampa, Florida.

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Hurricane Milton