Since making landfall in Florida on October 9, Hurricane Milton has caused at least 16 fatalities, according to various American media sources, including CNN.
During a press conference on the same day, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the public, stating that while the worst-case scenario did not materialize, residents should remain vigilant. The presence of downed power lines and standing water poses significant dangers. DeSantis urged citizens to exercise caution to avoid unnecessary casualties.
In related news, the White House announced that President Biden will visit Florida on October 13 to assess the damage. He indicated that the losses caused by Hurricane Milton could reach as high as $50 billion and urged Congress to act swiftly in approving disaster relief funding.
According to reports from a U.S. power tracking website, approximately 2.2 million individuals and businesses in Florida are still without power as a result of Hurricane Milton.
The National Hurricane Research Center stated that Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, approximately 11 kilometers south of Sarasota Bay in Florida. It was downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane after 90 minutes and then to a Category 1 hurricane on October 10.
Hurricane Milton brought severe winds and heavy rainfall to coastal areas, resulting in widespread flooding. Several counties in Florida also experienced tornadoes, leading to significant damage to homes.
This marks the second hurricane to hit Florida in the past two weeks. On September 26, Category 4 Hurricane Helen made landfall in Florida before moving on to states including Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Helen has been linked to over 230 fatalities.