Florida is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which swept through the state, causing widespread devastation and claiming at least 16 lives.
While Milton didn't bring the feared catastrophic surge of seawater, it still left significant damage in its wake. Clean-up efforts are expected to take weeks or even months, affecting many Florida residents.
\"It opens your eyes to what Mother Nature can do,\" said Chase Pierce, 25, of west St. Petersburg, who witnessed transformers blow up and power lines fall in his backyard.
As the fifth-most-intense Atlantic hurricane on record, Milton is estimated to cost insurers up to $100 billion. The White House has pledged government support, but the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Amid the recovery efforts, political tensions have risen. Republican Donald Trump, trailing Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in recent polls, criticized his opponents for their handling of the storm response. \"The federal government … has not done what you are supposed to be doing, in particular, with respect to North Carolina,\" Trump stated, highlighting the critical battleground state.
Harris responded by accusing Trump of politicizing the disaster. During a town hall event on Univision, she remarked, \"Sadly, we have seen over the last two weeks, since Hurricane Helene, and now in the immediate aftermath of Milton, where people are playing political games.\"
Both parties are mindful of past disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, and the lasting impact inadequate responses can have on public perception. The Biden administration has called for additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency from Congress, urging lawmakers to act swiftly despite the current political divide.
Florida faces a double disaster as Milton made landfall on the western coast, followed by deadly tornadoes on the eastern shore. Power outages have affected 3.4 million homes and businesses, with some residents still waiting for restoration after Hurricane Helene.
Governor Ron DeSantis has acknowledged the significant damage despite avoiding the worst-case scenario, emphasizing the ongoing challenges for Florida communities.
Reference(s):
Florida counts cost of Hurricane Milton amid political storm
cgtn.com
