Hurricane Milton Kills 11 in Florida as Tornadoes Wreak Havoc

AFP/APP

Fort Pierce: Hurricane Milton claimed the lives of at least 11 people across Florida, as tornadoes spawned by the storm caused widespread destruction.

While initial fears predicted catastrophic damage, the storm’s impact, though severe, was not as devastating as expected.

Millions Without Power

Milton made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast late Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane, leaving three million homes and businesses without power. The storm’s violent winds and tornadoes caused significant damage, with fatalities reported in St.

Lucie, Volusia, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis noted that, despite the devastation, the state had avoided the worst-case scenario.

Scientists are sounding alarms, warning that climate change is contributing to more frequent and severe storms like Hurricane Milton. The warming oceans provide more energy for storms, increasing their intensity and unpredictability.

Evacuations and Last-Minute Preparations

As Hurricane Milton approached Florida, residents rushed to make last-minute preparations. The storm threatened to unleash tidal surges along the heavily populated Gulf Coast, with Tampa and Sarasota bracing for potential life-threatening flooding.

Many residents in these low-lying areas sought refuge in evacuation centers, while others opted to ride out the storm at home.

Milton is expected to push inland, affecting areas like Orlando, home to Walt Disney World, before moving toward the Atlantic Ocean. Sarasota, where streets were deserted as rain intensified, saw most businesses shuttered and sandbagged in preparation for the storm’s arrival.

Widespread Chaos

Randy Prior, a Sarasota resident, expressed concern over the back-to-back hurricanes. “I am nervous. We just went through this with Helene, and the ground is still saturated,” said Prior, who owns a pool business.

Meanwhile, Tampa resident Luis Santiago decided to evacuate, closing up his home ahead of the storm.

The Weather Channel reported numerous tornadoes touching down across central and southern Florida. The National Weather Service issued a shelter-in-place order, urging residents to take immediate safety precautions from the dangerous effects of Hurricane Milton.

Biden Slams Trump Over Storm Response Claims

President Joe Biden expressed his frustration with former President Donald Trump, calling him “reckless and irresponsible” following comments Trump made in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which struck Florida last month. Biden, who spoke with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, urged residents to stay indoors due to hazardous conditions like downed power lines and debris.

Trump, now a Republican presidential candidate, posted a video on social media stating that he and his wife, Melania, were praying for the storm victims. He also urged Floridians to vote for him in the upcoming election, saying, “Hopefully, on January 20th, you’ll have someone who will truly help you.”

The storms have become a focal point in the election, with Trump accusing Biden and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris of neglecting those affected by the disaster. Biden’s sharp rebuke came as he responded to these claims.

Communities Count Their Blessings After Tornadoes Hit

In Cocoa Beach, Florida, residents were shaken as a tornado swept in from the ocean, causing significant damage.

One hair salon had its windows blown out, and a portion of a bank’s roof was torn off. Katherine and Larry Hingle recalled watching the water rise from a nearby river when they suddenly heard the tornado approach. “It sounded like a train coming,” Katherine, 53, said while surveying the damage.

In Sarasota, Carrie Elizabeth reflected on the storm’s impact, saying that although the damage was severe, it could have been much worse. “We’re very lucky,” she said. “It will take a while to clean up, but it wasn’t as bad as we feared.”