In brief
Hurricane Milton has devastated Florida, resulting in seven confirmed deaths and extensive damage as tornadoes and flooding plagued the region. Rescue teams are actively working to aid those affected.
Hurricane Milton left a trail of destruction in Florida yesterday, triggering powerful tornadoes and severe flooding in coastal neighborhoods. The relentless storm claimed the lives of at least seven individuals; five perished in tornado incidents while two others were crushed by falling trees at their homes. With rescue operations in full swing, officials anticipate the death toll may climb further as they continue to assess the battered regions.The storm did not spare infrastructure either—Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, home to Tampa's baseball team, sustained significant damage with its roof ripped open. Despite these setbacks, Patricia Mazzei, reporting from the region, noted Tampa Bay was largely spared from the feared high storm surges. However, she emphasized the toll on those in repeatedly flooded areas, stating they are "exhausted."Power outages plagued more than three million Floridians, adding to the hardships faced by residents. Evacuations ahead of the storm seemed to have mitigated potential loss, though the path to recovery remains daunting. President Biden addressed the nation, highlighting the monumental rebuilding efforts ahead, estimating several billion dollars will be required to restore affected communities. "It's going to take a long haul," he remarked, as the state grapples with the impacts of this devastating hurricane.
