Hurricane Milton, a massive Category 3 storm, made landfall on Florida’s western coast near Siesta Key on October 9, 2024, causing widespread destruction. Packing winds of up to 165 km/h, the storm triggered dangerous tornadoes and life-threatening storm surges, leaving 1.6 million households and businesses without power across the state.
Tornadoes and Storm Surges Wreak Havoc
Before Hurricane Milton even made landfall, tornadoes began ravaging Florida’s east coast, including one that struck a senior living community, leading to unconfirmed fatalities. Tidal surges inundated large parts of western Florida’s densely populated Gulf Coast. In Sarasota, near Siesta Key, fierce winds blew glass from buildings and left streets deserted as locals braced for the storm’s full impact.
The airports in both Tampa and Sarasota were closed indefinitely, and authorities urged those who had not evacuated to stay indoors. “Flood waters and storm surge are very dangerous,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned as the hurricane approached.
Milton’s Path of Destruction
The National Hurricane Center warned of Milton’s inland trajectory, predicting the storm would continue towards the Atlantic Ocean, with Orlando, a major tourist hub and home to Disney World, directly in its path. Disney World was closed as precautionary measures escalated across the state.
#UPDATE Hurricane Milton has blasted ashore in Florida with furious winds, life-threatening rain and storm surge, as people who endured another hurricane just two weeks ago brace for a long, violent nighthttps://t.co/WPoCtz0inh pic.twitter.com/RyDyfwFfRD
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 10, 2024
Recent Devastation by Hurricane Helene
Milton’s arrival came just two weeks after Florida was hit by Hurricane Helene, which left 235 dead and caused widespread flooding. Residents are still recovering from Helene’s devastation, and with the ground already saturated, the risk of additional flooding is high.
“I’m nervous,” said Randy Prior, a Florida resident who stayed home to ride out Milton. “We just went through this with the other storm.”
Political Tensions Amid the Crisis
As Hurricane Milton bears down, the response from political leaders is under intense scrutiny. With the U.S. presidential election just four weeks away, President Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump have exchanged heated remarks. Biden criticized Trump’s spread of disinformation regarding storm aid, while Trump falsely claimed that emergency aid is being diverted away from U.S. citizens to migrants.
Vice President Kamala Harris condemned these claims in a CNN interview, calling them “dangerous” and urging Americans to reject the disinformation.
Global Warming’s Role in Intensifying Storms
Scientists point to global warming as a significant factor behind the increasing intensity of hurricanes like Milton and Helene. Warmer ocean temperatures feed storms with more water vapor, which fuels stronger winds and higher storm surges.
Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts
Florida’s emergency services have been overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, with many neighborhoods now desolate and without power. By nightfall on Wednesday, emergency responders deemed it too dangerous to answer calls due to ongoing floods and tornadoes.
In preparation for recovery efforts, the state has deployed nearly 10,000 National Guard members. Authorities have also readied 20 million meal packs and 40 million liters of water for distribution once it’s safe to begin relief efforts.
As Hurricane Milton continues to wreak havoc, the full scale of the damage is yet to be seen, but the storm has already left a lasting mark on a state still recovering from its previous disaster.
