Hurricane Milton: A Trail of Tragedy

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Hurricane Milton leaves death and destruction in its wake in Florida

ABC News

Oct 11, 2024

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News & Politics

Hurricane Milton causes widespread destruction

  1. Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds, causing significant damage, especially in Sarasota County.
  2. The hurricane spawned over three dozen tornadoes across Florida, with at least six fatalities reported in St. Lucie County due to these tornadoes.
  3. In Fort Pierce, a family survived a tornado by huddling together as their home was severely damaged, illustrating the storm's destructive power.
  4. St. Petersburg experienced severe damage, including the roof of Tropicana Stadium being ripped off and a construction crane crashing onto an office building.
  5. Rescue operations are ongoing, with hundreds of rescues from storm surges and flooding, including a 14-year-old boy saved from rising waters.
  6. Hurricane Milton set a record in Florida for the most tornado warnings issued in a single day, with 126 warnings and numerous tornadoes touching down.
  7. The storm has left millions in Florida facing catastrophic damage and widespread flooding, with many seeing the devastation for the first time.

Hurricane Milton causes widespread devastation

  1. Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's west coast as a Category 3 storm, causing significant destruction and fatalities. The storm brought tornadoes, powerful winds, and flooding rains, leading to at least 10 confirmed deaths, with numbers expected to rise.
  2. The hurricane left more than 3 million people in Florida without power, with reports of transformers exploding and street lights crashing. In St. Petersburg, a tree fell through a home's roof, illustrating the storm's power.
  3. Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, suffered severe damage with parts of its roof ripped off. It was initially designated as a shelter for 10,000 emergency workers, who had to be relocated before the storm hit.
  4. A crane collapsed onto the building housing the Tampa Bay Times, causing significant damage. Witnesses reported feeling the building shake as the crane fell.
  5. In North Fort Meers, floodwaters rose to dangerous levels, with an alligator seen biting a car's tires, highlighting the chaotic and hazardous conditions.
  6. A massive search and rescue operation is underway, with Orange County fire rescue teams wading through waist-deep waters to save stranded residents. Over 725 people have been rescued, including 135 from a senior living facility and a 14-year-old boy found floating on a piece of fence.
  7. Before making landfall, Hurricane Milton spawned numerous tornadoes across Florida, with at least 38 reported, setting a record for the most tornado warnings in a single day in the state.
  8. In Wellington, Florida, power lines flared as a tornado crossed the road, while in Broward County, residents received emergency alerts just before witnessing a tornado firsthand.
  9. Aerial views show widespread devastation in Martin and Palm Beach counties, with homes destroyed by large, violent tornadoes. A family in Fort Pierce recounted their experience of huddling together as windows shattered and doors were torn from hinges.

Hurricane Milton causes severe damage in Florida

  1. The storm, Hurricane Milton, hit Florida's west coast as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing tornadoes, strong winds, and heavy rains, resulting in several confirmed fatalities.
  2. Residents experienced severe damage, with homes marked for safety checks. Families were found huddled together, trying to stay safe as their homes shook and windows shattered.
  3. In one instance, a family was grateful their children were not in their rooms when the walls and windows gave way, highlighting the storm's destructive power.
  4. Another family, Nelson and Maria, were caught in a tornado while in their car in the driveway, unable to escape. They survived despite the car's windows being blown in, illustrating the sudden and dangerous nature of the storm.
  5. Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, has deployed thousands of National Guard troops to assist in the aftermath, acknowledging the storm's severity but noting it could have been worse.
  6. The storm weakened before landfall, reducing the expected storm surge, which was less severe than previous hurricanes like Hurricane Helen.
  7. In Venice, where the hurricane made landfall, streets are filled with debris, and significant structural damage is evident, such as roofs torn off homes.
  8. Police Chief John Cosby noted that nearly 100% of the population in Sarasota evacuated, indicating the unprecedented nature of the event.

Hurricane Milton causes severe damage in Florida

  1. Hurricane Milton struck Florida's west coast as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing tornadoes, strong winds, and heavy rains, resulting in significant destruction and several confirmed fatalities.
  2. President Biden has urged Congress to return to Washington to approve additional disaster aid funding, emphasizing the government's commitment to help Florida recover and rebuild.
  3. Residents, like Nelson and Maria, express gratitude for surviving the storm despite the rapid onset of tornadoes, which left them with no time to evacuate from their car in the driveway.