By: Katie Borders

National/World News Editor

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Hurricane Milton hit Florida, causing substantial damage to the coast and surrounding cities and producing numerous tornadoes in the aftermath. The hurricane was a Category 3 storm, first hitting Siesta Key and then leading to major evacuation efforts in the nearby populated Tampa, St. Petersburg area. It also led to heavy rainfall and strong winds. Over two million homes and public places experienced power outages amid evacuation and recovery efforts, most commonly in Hardee County. So far, the death toll is at least 14 and many others have been injured by the destruction of Hurricane Milton.

Before the hurricane even reached shore, it brought fierce winds of about 105 miles per hour and tornadoes, destroying over 125 homes and leaving devastating damage to the surrounding areas. At least 20 tornadoes accompanied Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, occurring in Siesta Key and along the coast of Florida. With Florida residents having one two weeks to recover from the tragedy and damage of Hurricane Helen, a Category 4 storm that resulted in a death toll of 230, Hurricane Milton has left an immense impact on the already grieving and struggling communities of Florida.

Florida raised its alarms quickly in the face of grim Hurricane Milton’s arrival, with some fleeing while others were recommended to stay and wait out the storm once evacuation efforts became ill-advised as the hurricane reached shore.

Florida launched numerous efforts to help the people affected by Hurricane Milton, including 9,000 National Guard members in the state and surrounding areas and over 50,000 utility workers. The counties issued mandatory evacuation orders prior to the storm to the 7.2 million people in the counties affected. President Joe Biden called Hurricane Milton “the storm of the century” and extended support to the people of Florida who were and have been affected by the Category 3 storm. The Pentagon arranged for 20 million meals as well as 40 million liters of water to be delivered to the affected areas by rescue teams and helicopters.

Among the damages to the areas affected, the Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium, suffered major damages when the winds of Hurricane Milton ripped off its roof. Tampa additionally received three to five inches of water per hour after Hurricane Milton made landfall.

On Thursday, Oct. 10, Hurricane Milton weakened from a Category 3 storm to a Category 2 storm and continued to weaken, as the residents of Florida in the surrounding area prepared to overcome the catastrophe and destruction that Hurricane Milton dealt.

(Sources: AP, CBS News, USA Today)