United States: The state of Florida is now embarking on a protracted and arduous journey toward rehabilitation as it grapples with the aftermath of two successive, extraordinarily rare cyclonic events—Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
Hurricane Milton, a formidable Category 3 storm, claimed the lives of at least 17 individuals when it struck land near Sarasota County’s Siesta Key on Wednesday night. The tempest unleashed a cascade of catastrophic phenomena, including a myriad of tornadoes, towering 28-foot waves, ferocious gusts, torrential rainfall, and a destructive storm surge, according to The Independent.
Even days post-impact, the peril persists. As of Saturday morning, approximately 1.6 million households remain shrouded in darkness, devoid of electricity. Meteorologists caution that the lurking danger of hazardous flooding will likely endure for an extended period, potentially lasting several more days or even weeks.
Simultaneously, environmental concerns have arisen as a phosphate mining company reported that its facility discharged thousands of gallons of contaminants into Tampa Bay during the storm, following the overwhelming of drainage systems, as per The Independent.
Local authorities and residents alike are tirelessly evaluating the widespread destruction, with the west-central regions bearing the brunt of the devastation. Governor Ron DeSantis has disclosed that over 50,000 utility workers have been mobilized to expedite the restoration of power.
1.6 Million Floridians Remain Powerless
Three days have passed since Hurricane Milton ferociously made landfall as a Category 3 storm, yet 1.6 million residences across Florida remain in total blackout.
As of 11 am ET on Saturday, a staggering 1.58 million customers were still bereft of electricity, as per Poweroutage.us, according to reports shared by The Independent.
In Pinellas County, one of the hardest-hit areas, more than half of the populace—373,000 out of 567,000 customers—continues to grapple with the lingering power outage.