At least 10 people have lost their lives in the wake of Hurricane Milton, according to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during a White House briefing on Thursday. The powerful storm has left millions without power, disrupted communities, and caused extensive damage across Florida.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly on Thursday to save Florida residents amidst the chaos left by Milton. The hurricane tore through coastal communities, destroying homes, filling streets with mud, and triggering deadly tornadoes. Milton made landfall late Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane in Siesta Key, approximately 112 kilometers south of Tampa, causing widespread destruction.
This devastating storm arrives just two weeks after Hurricane Helene, compounding the misery for Floridians already reeling from recent severe weather events. Milton has knocked out power to over 3.4 million customers, flooded barrier islands, tore the roof off a baseball stadium, and toppled a construction crane. Water levels remain a concern, with projections indicating that they may continue to rise for days.
Tragically, five people were killed by tornadoes at the Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce on Florida's Atlantic Coast. Authorities reported that homes were destroyed in the area. Additionally, a woman was found dead under a fallen tree branch in Tampa, further adding to the storm's toll.
The hurricane prompted mandatory evacuation orders across 15 Florida counties, encompassing a population of approximately 7.2 million people. About 80,000 individuals sought refuge in shelters, while thousands more fled to safer areas. The resilience of the affected communities is being tested as they face the challenges of recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
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Hurricane Milton leaves at least 10 dead and millions in the dark
cgtn.com
